‘Gandhi-Vadra family should apologise...’ BJP slams Sam Pitroda’s Pakistan remark

New Delhi: The BJP on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, demanding that the Gandhi-Vadra family apologise after Congress Overseas Chief Sam Pitroda reportedly said he “felt at home in Pakistan” during a past visit. The party accused Congress of failing to take “tough actions” against Pakistan even after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, citing what it called the party’s “undying love” for the neighbouring country.

On Pitroda’s remarks, BJP National Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari said, “… We want to ask Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, why did you remain silent when Shahid Afridi called you his idol? Lashkar-e-Taiba wanted to have talks with Congress, why did you remain silent? Sam Pitroda calls Pakistan his home, why are you silent? Your silence is your acceptance... They want to spread anarchy in Indian democracy. Yesterday, Rahul Gandhi said that protecting the Indian democracy is not his job, but he definitely said that he wants to fight against the Indian state... Gandhi-Vadra family should apologise to the nation for Sam Pitroda's statement…”

Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi, had sparked controversy by highlighting “striking similarity” between people of India and neighbouring countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, while advocating for “neighbourhood diplomacy” with nations such as Nepal.

In an interview with IANS, he said, “Our foreign policy, according to me, must first focus on our neighbourhood. Can we really substantially improve relationships with our neighbours? They are all small. They are going through difficult times.”

He added, “Of course, there is the problem of violence, there is the problem of terrorism. But all that is there. At the end of the day, in the neighbourhood, there is a common gene pool. I've been to Pakistan, and I must tell you; I felt at home. I've been to Bangladesh, I've been to Nepal, and I feel at home. I don't feel like I'm in a foreign country. They look like me, they talk like me. They like my songs, and they eat my food. I must learn to live with them in peace and harmony.”

(With inputs from IANS)