M Chuba Ao
BJP National Vice President
The contrast has come out to the fore. What’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and what’s Indian National Congress?
The remarks from Sam Pitroda, a close associate of the Nehru-Gandhi family, have ultimately resulted in his resignation as the head of Indian Overseas Congress.
More than the political post he held, Sam Pitroda was like a Guru and a personal guide to Rahul Gandhi. Hence his remarks were always taken seriously and also would hit headlines as soon as they are uttered. This time it took a few days for the controversial statement to go viral on web and social media.
Only a leader with a divisive mindset will see the images of an African and a Chinese in India among Indians and try to indulge in this kind of sinister designs.
I have tried to distinguish the Congress from the BJP because in our party, we cherish the principles of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas (Development for All with the participation of All) and also Vasudeva Kutumbakam (the world is a family). The contrast is now crystal clear.
To say that people from the east of India look like Chinese is an utter insult to our peoplein the northeast including Nagas and other tribals. Mere resignation of a ‘serial offender’ like Pitroda is not enough.
The Congress party which has decided to keep itself busy lecturing the world about tolerance and harmonious co-existence must therefore tender an apology.
The statement from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji that such remarks from Pitorda are not acceptable makes our party position clear. In a dynamic country like ours with so many communities and religious and ethnic groups, the only mantra for mutual co-existence is Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.
When we say Vasudeva Kutumbakam, we want to reach out to the rest of the world. Only a visionary civilisation can make such an assertion. Today the world is facing multiple challenges including on the Climate front and Globalwarming. Hence, the human world should now behave with responsibility and as a large family.
The concept of nationalism as was known 100 or 200 years ago now would not fit in the requirements and definitions of today’s era. This is not an age of war, as was stated by our Prime Minister Shri Modi ji.
In fact, this is an era to cherish and implement Vasudeva Kutumbakam. The Congress partywill do well to take corrective measures. Pitroda’s statement could be a part of a ‘plan’ by the Congress to encourage divisions among people. Therefore, we need to condemn it unequivocally.
The fact of the matter is, I am a Naga Christian and am today part of a great nation that is marching ahead and achieving new milestones on every sphere under the leadership of Shri Modi ji.
Long Live Viksit Bharat – a developed India.
(Views are personal)
