After India Today journalist Rohit Sharma alleged that he was manhandled by members of Rahul Gandhi’s team during Gandhi’s visit to the U.S., Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda publicly expressed his disapproval and promised to investigate the matter. Sharma claimed that he was assaulted by Congress workers in Dallas after he asked Pitroda a pointed question about whether Rahul Gandhi would address the issue of Hindus being attacked in Bangladesh during his meetings with U.S. lawmakers. According to Sharma, his mobile phone was snatched, and he was instructed to delete the interview footage, adding that the incident occurred just before Rahul Gandhi arrived in the U.S. for his first visit as Leader of the Opposition.
Responding to the controversy, Pitroda, in an exclusive interview with *India Today TV*, made it clear that he does not condone such behavior. He said, "I will look into it. I don't approve of anybody being mishandled. I do not approve of, you know, not giving respect to journalists. I do not approve of these things." He emphasized that he firmly stands for the principles of a free press and has always treated journalists with respect and dignity throughout his career.
Pitroda admitted that he was unaware of the specific individuals involved in the incident, as he did not know the members of Gandhi’s advance team, but assured that he would investigate what happened. He also expressed disappointment that Rohit Sharma went public with his claims without speaking to him first. "I wish Rohit Sharma had spoken to me before going public. He decided to go public without talking to me," Pitroda remarked, suggesting that the situation might have been handled differently had communication occurred directly.
This incident has added an uncomfortable twist to Rahul Gandhi’s U.S. visit, which had already drawn attention due to his remarks on religious freedom and press freedom in India. During an interaction with American journalists, Gandhi criticized the shrinking space for journalists to operate freely under the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi’s focus on these issues abroad, juxtaposed with this controversy involving his own team, has sparked wider discussions.
Sam Pitroda also sought to clarify another key point from Gandhi’s U.S. trip, denying reports that Gandhi had raised the issue of Hindus being attacked in Bangladesh during his meetings with prominent U.S. lawmakers, including Representative Ilhan Omar, whose previous comments on India had ignited controversies back home. According to Pitroda, Gandhi’s discussions with American lawmakers were primarily focused on important topics such as U.S.-India relations, democracy, freedom, economic challenges, the Constitution, unemployment, technology, and agricultural productivity. These, Pitroda stressed, were the core areas of concern during the meetings, refuting claims that local or communal issues dominated the conversations.
In response to further questions about Gandhi’s statements on Sikhs, Pitroda also defended Gandhi's remarks on religious freedoms in India. Gandhi, at an event in Virginia, spoke passionately about the challenges facing Sikhs and other religious minorities in India, emphasizing that the struggle for freedom of religious expression remains a central issue. Specifically, Gandhi commented, "The fight (in India) is about whether a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a turban...whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a kada or go to the gurdwara. That's what the fight is about, and it's not just for Sikhs, but for all religions."
Pitroda criticized the Indian media for distorting Gandhi’s comments and taking them out of context. He explained that Gandhi’s broader point was about the fundamental right of all Indians, regardless of religion, to express their beliefs freely. He pointed out that this issue transcends local boundaries and has significant global relevance, as religious freedoms are threatened in many parts of the world. "There is nothing that is local. Everything is global. Everything that is global is local. We live in an era where distance is dead and time is instant. Information has no borders," Pitroda said, emphasizing that the interconnected nature of the modern world means that issues in one region often have far-reaching implications.
Pitroda also reiterated that Rahul Gandhi’s comments were not meant to criticize any specific community or group but were focused on the larger fight for equality and freedom of expression for all religious groups in India. He noted that Gandhi’s comments had sparked a political storm, but argued that this was due to a tendency in the media to sensationalize and misrepresent statements. "If you think it is criticizing, then it's too bad," Pitroda added, underscoring that Gandhi's message was about protecting the rights of all communities in a diverse country like India.
The incident involving Rohit Sharma and the broader context of Gandhi’s remarks on religious freedoms have contributed to heightened scrutiny of Rahul Gandhi’s U.S. tour. His statements on democracy, the role of journalists, and the struggles of religious minorities have sparked both support and criticism, adding layers of complexity to the ongoing political discourse in India. For Pitroda, the key takeaway remains that respectful dialogue and press freedom are essential to any functioning democracy, and he promised to resolve the matter regarding Sharma’s treatment swiftly.
