Rajdeep Sardesai asked Sam Pitroda some very uncomfortable questions regarding press freedom in his recent interview. The questions demanded answers on the current controversy regarding Rahul Gandhi’s visit, which does not involve the Congress Scion – at least not directly! This time it involves Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) Chairman Sam Pitroda, an India Today reporter Rohit Sharma, and the advance members of the RaGa entourage.
The controversy stems from an incident that allegedly occurred right before MP Rahul Gandhi’s much-anticipated visit to Dallas, Texas. What began as a routine interview about Gandhi’s trip allegedly spiraled into a dramatic confrontation. With accusations and denials flying in the air, netizens are left to wonder about the truth of the incident!
In his show, Rajdeep Sardesai invited Sam Pitroda to answer the questions raised by the public and the press. A veteran at media interviews and no stranger to controversies, Sam Pitroda attempted to play down the situation, claiming ignorance about the incident. Additionally, Sam pleads innocence regarding the manhandling and silencing of India Today journalists by Rahul Gandhi’s advance team in Dallas. Let’s talk!
Sam Pitroda’s Public Response: A Diplomatic Evasion
Rajdeep Sardesai interviewed Sam Pitroda about the alleged assault of an India Today journalist Rohit Sharam just before Rahul Gandhi’s Dallas visit. During this interview, Pitroda appeared completely nonchalant and slightly inconvenienced. He claimed to be unaware of the situation, almost seeming to dismiss the possibility that Gandhi’s team had acted unethically.
“I will look into it,” Sam Pitroda said, while also asserting, “I will never support any attempt to muzzle the press.”
The Mumbai Press Club strongly condemns the reprehensible behaviour of Congress workers toward Rohit Sharma, a reporter from the India Today Group, during an interview with Sam Pitroda, Chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress, in Dallas, Texas.
When the reporter asked Pitroda,… pic.twitter.com/bQ28Rq7xLQ
— Mumbai Press Club (@mumbaipressclub) September 14, 2024
Pitroda also refuted the claim by India Today’s journalist that Sam was taken away from the interview by RaGa’s advance team when things became uncomfortable. According to Sam Pitroda, he left the interview simply because he was running late. He also schooled Rajdeep Sardesai on his phrasing of the question over being ‘taken away’ like an object! However, this diplomatic sidestep and what-aboutry did little to address the gravity of the allegations cast by India Today journalist. Moreover, it seemed to silently and subtly cast the journalist’s accusations of being coerced into deleting the interview into the realm of half-truths.
The Backstory: Was India Today’s Journalist Silenced?
SHOCKING 🚨 India Today Journalist Rohit Sharma attacked just for asking Sam Pitroda if Rahul Gandhi will discuss about Bangladeshi Hindus.
He said "My phone was snatched & they deleted data from it"
"Sam was shaken by question, it was a nightmare for me"
When Rajdeep Sardesai… pic.twitter.com/mWViT8ETX2
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) September 13, 2024
The controversy began on when India Today journalist Rohit Sharma flew to Dallas to cover Rahul Gandhi’s visit. Sharma arranged an interview with Pitroda at a private villa, where he reports approximately 30 members of the IOC had gathered. The interview progressed smoothly at first, with Pitroda discussing RaGa’s agenda and focus for the U.S. visit.
https://www.indiatoday.in/opinion/story/how-i-was-assaulted-by-rahul-gandhi-team-in-dallas-texas-2599165-2024-09-13
However, when Sharma allegedly asked about whether RaGa would address the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh during his meetings with U.S. lawmakers, the situation escalated.
As per Rohit Sharma’s own article on the incident, before Sam Pitroda could hotstep around the question, members of the advance team interrupted the interview. Allegedly, they seized Sharma’s phone, yelling for the recording to stop. What allegedly followed sounds like a tense standoff!!
Sharma states that his phone was forcibly taken by the members of Gandhi’s advance team. Thereafter, he states that the team demanded the deletion of the interview. Although, as per Sharma, he protested that the question was not controversial, the team used unethical means to erase the footage. Allegedly, they unlocked Sharma’s phone using Face ID without his consent and even checked his iCloud to ensure no trace of the interview remained.
Rajdeep Sardesai: Bringing the Controversy to Media Focus
Rajdeep Sardesai has taken on the role of a ‘crusader of justice’ for his juniors. Sometimes his well-intentioned interventions go beyond the levels of decent society. Such was the case in the Shazia Ilmi-Rajdeep Sardesai incident. However, this time Rajdeep Sardesai tried to get it correct, he presented India Today’s perspective along with the Congress’s response.
Rajdeep Sardesai quickly arranged an interview with Sam Pitroda the same day as the incriminating article by his junior was published by India Today.
Thus, his role in this controversy extends beyond merely interviewing Sam Pitroda. By giving a platform to the issue, Rajdeep Sardesai either tried to expose the Congress camp’s treatment of critical journalism. Or he chose to present the Congress with a national media platform to refute the claims made by his junior! Therefore, Rajdeep carefully chose his words during the interview. Very often he used words like ‘alleged’ or ‘claimed’ to present facts as told by journalist Rohit Sharma. After all, without presentable evidence, the controversy shall be a contest of ‘he said, she said’!
However, Pitroda’s vague and evasive responses during the interview did little to provide clarity on the issue.
Instead, it may have created doubts in the mind of the staunchest Congress loyalist!
How I was assaulted by Rahul Gandhi's team in Dallas, Texas writes India Today’s Washington contributor Rohit Sharma.
Gandhi’s associates snatched his phone and forced him to delete footage of a question about attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus.
Rahul Gandhi’s team getting… pic.twitter.com/eVROjHyJ6S
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 13, 2024
Meanwhile, the BJP quickly capitalized on the incident. They are accusing Rahul Gandhi and his team of double standards. The BJP present that while Congress frequently speaks out against the suppression of press freedom, this episode suggests that the INC’s camp is intolerant of inconvenient questions from the media. Even PM Modi took a shot at INC and RaGa at his rally in Kashmir. He implied that the Congress’ Mohabbat ki Dukaan serves up cruelty and injustiuce to a son of India while in the US!
India today is not speaking up support for their journalist but PM Modi is… pic.twitter.com/FDvfqbXmfv
— Political Kida (@PoliticalKida) September 14, 2024
The Bigger Picture: Press Freedom or Lip Service?
This controversy raises serious questions about the state of press freedom. Did RaGa truly go to such lengths to suppress a single question during a relatively low-stakes interview? Is this the reality of the CON party’s approach to transparency and accountability?
As Rahul Gandhi continues to position himself as a champion of democracy and free speech, the allegations against his team in Dallas stand in stark contradiction.
The principles RaGa claims to uphold are currently facing off with the accusations of this India Today’s journalist.
Thereby, leaving observers to wonder whether the Congress party truly values press freedom or merely seeks to control the narrative. Additionally, Sam Pitroda’s casual dismissal of the Dallas incident during his interview with Rajdeep Sardesai left troubling concerns in the minds of many. Netizens wonder about the truth of the Congress party’s relationship with the media. Thus, despite Rajdeep Sardesai’s interview and Sam Pitroda’s dance of words, one question remains. Is the Congress party’s commitment to upholding press freedom a form of lip service?