Himanta Biswa Sarma: I don't look like Chinese, Sam Pitroda's comment on Northeast is racist

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned Congress leader Sam Pitroda's remarks on India's diversity which has sparked a controversy across the country.

Himanta Biswa Sarma criticized Pitroda’s remark, categorising Indian residents based on their facial features, as racist and hurtful.

Wondering at what kind of person he is, Sarma said, “After his comment referring to people of the North East as Chinese, I looked at myself in the mirror. I look like an Assamese, an Indian. I don’t look like a Chinese from any angle. Pitroda’s comment is racist, it is a comment that has hurt us.”

He questioned the Congress leader’s motive behind his statement, adding, “What did he try to prove by citing similarities between the Northeasterns and the Chinese? I have no idea about the kind of mindset he has.”

Taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi, he asserted, “People who are in contact with Rahul Gandhi have a wrong perception towards the North East. Such people question our identity and the geography of the region. Sam Pitroda’s remark is racist, condemnable and does not sound respectable.”

Asserting that he is a proud Assamese, the Assam chief minister said, “I do not know whether Pitroda has visited the North East but I want to tell him that every Northeastern is proud of their identity. We are proud Indians.” 

Criticizing Pitroda’s mindset, Sarma further said, “Do not challenge our story, our sentiments.” 

When asked about people from the Northeast being referred to as Chinese in Indian states, Sarma said the Narendra Modi-led government has changed the mindset amongst people. He said, “That was the story 10 years back. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last ten years has ensured an end to the racism against Northeasterns. There is now no case of racism.”

Attacking Rahul Gandhi for spreading hatred and racism in the country, Himanta said, “If people like Rahul Gandhi and Sam Pitroda begin the concept of racism then it will spread more. We have crossed and ended these things 10 years back…people have understood that the North East is an integral part of the country and that we have our own features and identity. However, the essence of all these features is Indian. If Sam Pitroda who is Rahul Gandhi’s closest aide, does not understand this basic concept, we cannot expect Rahul Gandhi and others to understand it either.”

On Rahul Gandhi playing divisive politics, the chief minister said that Sam Pitroda is Gandhi’s friend, philosopher as well as his guide. Additionally, he questioned, “Why has Congress not dismissed Pitroda from the position of the chairman of Indian Overseas Congress over the inheritance tax issue?”
“Even after all the insulting remarks, Jairam Ramesh only distanced himself from the remarks. When will the Congress disown him? Why are they not throwing him away from his post.”

Sarma also pointed that Pitroda has changed the name given to him by his parents, adding that a person who can change his birth name can also change and break the country. 

Pointing that the Congress party is completely advocating racism, Sarma took a further jibe at Priyanka Gandhi for terming the incident useless, and said, “This issue is not useless, it is associated with our feelings.”