'My Hindi isn't good': Sam Pitroda apologises for 1984 anti-Sikh violence ‘hua to hua' remark

Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi and Overseas Congress' head, had on Thursday said "hua to hua" (so what, it happened) about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

While talking to news agency ANI, Sam Pitroda said “the statement I made was completely twisted, taken out of context because my Hindi isn't good, what I meant was 'jo hua vo bura hua,' I couldn't translate 'bura' in my mind.”/ FILE IMAGE

NEW DELHI: After Sam Pitroda's comments on 1984 anti-Sikh violence ballooned into a controversy, the senior Congress party leader on Friday apologized and said that his remark was "misrepresented and blown out of proportion". While talking to news agency ANI, Pitroda said: The statement I made was completely twisted, taken out of context because my Hindi isn't good, what I meant was 'jo hua vo bura hua,' I couldn't translate 'bura' in my mind.” “What I meant was move on. We have other issues to discuss as to what BJP govt did and what it delivered. I feel sorry that my remark was misrepresented, I apologise. This has been blown out of proportion” he added.

Sam Pitroda, Congress on his remarks on '84 riots: The statement I made was completely twisted, taken out of context because my Hindi isn't good, what I meant was 'jo hua vo bura hua,' I couldn't translate 'bura' in my mind. pic.twitter.com/ZATArjpC79

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2019

Pitroda, a close aide of Rahul Gandhi and Overseas Congress' head, on Thursday said, 'hua to hua' (So what, it happened) about the anti-Sikh riots. He made this remark in response to a question on the riots by a newsman in Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh. The BJP quoted this as a 'shocking' statement from the Congress leader and has demaded apology from him. The BJP leader accused the Congress of playing with public feelings. "Pitroda was Rajiv's colleague and Rahul's guru. If the guru is like this, how will the 'chela' (disciple) be? This is what is Congress doing... completely insensitive of public feelings." "They must apologise. We demand that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should apologise, not only to Sikhs but to the entire country as it is an offence unacceptable to the country," Javadekar added. Delhi BJP spokesperson Tajinder Singh Bagga on Friday lodged a police complaint seeking registration of a case against Congress leader Sam Pitroda for allegedly hurting sentiments of Sikh community with his remarks on 1984 riots.

On My Complaint National Commission for Minorities Member Shri Atif Rasheed sent Notice to @sampitroda pic.twitter.com/2NJWX5p5BX

— Chowkidar Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) May 10, 2019

Bagga in his complaint alleged Pitroda's statement was made "solely" for the purpose of "insulting and outraging religious feelings" of Sikh community, "promote disharmony, enmity, hatred and ill-will" between different religious groups, and "provoke" breach of peace.