Sam Pitroda's resignation from his role as chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress was sparked by a controversy surrounding his comments about the physical appearances of individuals from different regions within India. Pitroda described how people in various parts of the country look, saying, "people in the east look like the Chinese, people in the south look like Africans" in a podcast that circulated widely on social media, leading to strong criticism and condemnation.
Although Pitroda attempted to emphasize unity by stating that despite diverse appearances, all Indians are brothers and sisters, his remarks were met with disapproval. The Indian National Congress, through senior leader Jairam Ramesh, distanced itself from Pitroda's comments, calling them "most unfortunate and unacceptable." Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also criticized Pitroda's "racist" remark, highlighting the impact of such statements on individual perceptions and attitudes within society. Prime Minister Modi, during a rally in Warangal, questioned the Congress's motives and integrity, implying discrimination based on skin color in politics, specifically referencing an incident involving President Droupadi Murmu.
Multiple political figures, including Sitharaman and Sanjay Singh, condemned Pitroda's remarks, emphasizing that the comments do not reflect the views of the entire nation. Despite attempts by Pitroda to downplay the situation and clarify his intention behind discussing inheritance tax in the US, the controversy surrounding his initial statements persisted, leading to his resignation and subsequent acceptance by the Indian National Congress.