Sam Pitroda quits as Indian Overseas Congress chief amid racist remark row

Sam Pitroda, chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, has decided to step down from his position amidst controversy surrounding his recent remark. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has accepted his resignation, as confirmed by party general secretary Jairam Ramesh. Pitroda's decision follows his controversial comment regarding the appearance of people from different parts of India, which sparked widespread criticism and condemnation.

Pitroda's statement, suggesting that individuals from eastern India resemble Chinese people, stirred a political storm during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. PM Narendra Modi condemned the remark, labeling it divisive and racist. 

Sam Pitroda, whom the BJP calls Rahul Gandhi's political guru, was elaborating on India's diversity when he made the remark.

"We could hold the country together, as diverse as India -- where people in East look like Chinese, people in West look like Arab, people in North look like, maybe White, and people in South look like Africans. It doesn't matter. We are all brothers and sisters," he said.