NEW DELHI: Congress leader Sam Pithroda has stoked a controversy over his remarks referring South Indians like Africans. In an interview to The Statesman newspaper, Pitroda described India as a "... diverse country... where people on East look like Chinese, people on West look like Arab, people on North look like maybe White and people in South look like Africa’.

Moreover, 'we respect different languages, religions, customs and food. Everyone has a place here, everyone compromises. That is the India I believe in,' said Pitroda. Meanwhile, the Congress rejected Pitroda's remarks. Jairam Ramesh said Pitroda's remarks were unfortunate and unacceptable.

Meantime, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted strongly to Sam Pitroda's remarks. The Prime Minister said that Pitroda's remarks insulted many people of the country on the basis of color. 'I can forgive it if it is pointed at me, but such remarks against my people will not be accepted. We are all worshipers of Krishna. Those who carry the constitution are insulting the people on the basis of color. I am very angry today because of this,' Modi made the remarks while speaking in Warangal, Telangana.