Congress veteran and close aide of Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, has stirred controversy by advocating for the settlement of illegal migrants in India and criticizing the government for "hounding" them. His remarks, made in a viral video just days before the Delhi Assembly elections, have added fuel to the ongoing debate on illegal immigration.
Priroada criticises govt's stance on illegal immigrants
In the video, Pitroda urged the government to adopt a more compassionate approach, stating, “Even though illegal immigration is wrong, we are busy targeting illegal Bangladeshis and minorities. They do so much work to come here.”
He went on to criticise the focus on immigrants, arguing that issues like global warming should take precedence over “hounding poor and hungry immigrants.” Pitroda, who also chairs the Indian Overseas Congress, further said, “We should include everybody. If we have to suffer a little bit, it’s okay. But people don’t want to share resources; they want to keep their pie bigger and bigger.”
BJP slams Pitroda and Congress
The BJP was quick to lash out at Pitroda’s comments, calling them “irresponsible” and “outrageous.” BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari tweeted, “Rahul Gandhi’s right-hand man Sam Pitroda’s statement advocating for illegal migrants to settle in India, even at the country’s expense, is shocking.”
Bhandari also accused Congress of enabling illegal immigration during its decades in power, stating, “Now you wonder how Congress, for the last 70 years, worked overtime to settle illegals in our country!”
Illegal immigration: A hot topic in Delhi polls
Illegal immigration has been a key issue in the lead-up to the February 5 Delhi elections. The BJP has vowed to rid the capital of illegal Bangladeshis and Rohingyas if voted to power. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has intensified its crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
The BJP has also accused the AAP of facilitating illegal immigrants by providing them with ration and Aadhaar cards to secure votes—a charge denied by the ruling party.
Pitroda's controversial history
This is not the first time Sam Pitroda has courted controversy. During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he was forced to step down after comments comparing Indians in the East to Chinese and those in the South to Africans sparked widespread criticism.
With Pitroda’s latest remarks, the immigration debate has further polarized the political narrative ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections.