Earlier, Pitroda said he was baffled by the uproar. "I just said as a citizen I'm entitled to know what happened. I don't understand what is the controversy here, I am baffled at the response. Shows how people react to trivial matters in India," he said
While Sam Pitroda is ‘baffled’ by the intesity of the furore that has greeted him since his remarks about the 26/11 terror attack and Balakot became public, one of the youngest victims of the 26/11 attack hasn’t taken too kindly to his words.
Devika Rotawan, who was 10 years old when she was shot in the leg, slammed Sam Pitroda for his remarks. She told a news channel: "Pakistan is a house for terrorists. How can you support Pakistan? No one died from your family. Therefore, you are saying all this. I think he is in support of Pakistan. Pakistan always backstabs us."
Rotawan had famously helped identify Ajmal Kasab.
Earlier, Pitroda said he was baffled by the uproar. "I just said as a citizen I'm entitled to know what happened. I don't understand what is the controversy here, I am baffled at the response. Shows how people react to trivial matters in India," he said
"I don't know much about (Pulwama) attack, it happens all the time, attack happen in Mumbai Taj hotel and Oberoi hotel. We could have reacted then and sent our planes but that is not the right approach according to me that's not how you deal with the World. Eight people come (referring to Mumbai 26/11 attacks) and do something, you don't jump on the entire nation," said Sam Pitroda in an interview to ANI.
1. PM Modi hits out
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In an interview to ANI earlier on Friday, Pitroda, also the chairman of Overseas Indian National Congress, had questioned the death toll in the air strike by the Indian Air Force in Pakistan in retaliation to the Pulwama terror attack.
Reacting to the remarks, Prime Minister Modi hit out at Pitroda, tweeting that Pitroda "kick-started the Pakistan National Day celebrations on behalf of the Congress".
Pakistan observes its National Day on March 23.
"What is the problem in raising a question? As a citizen in democracy, discussion, dialogue, debate, discourse is a way of life," Pitroda said.
BJP president Amit Shah and several other party leader also lambasted Pitroda for his comments in the interview
2. Pitroda asks for more facts
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Congress leader Sam Pitroda on Friday asked the government to come out with "more facts" on the Balakot air strikes, and said that he was "baffled" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reaction to his question which he was entitled to ask.
Pitroda, chief of Indian Overseas Congress, also said it was good to have a debate, discussion, dialogue and discourse, and it does not amount to questioning anyone.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi, using the hashtag 'Janta Maaf Nahi Karegi' (people will not forgive) in a tweet, attacked Pitroda for reportedly saying he wanted to "know more" about the Balakot air attack, including number of terrorists killed.
Several BJP leaders, including BJP chief Amit Shah, slammed Pitroda for his remarks.
"All I said is, can we get more facts, that's all. I don't know why this whole confusion... In democracy you are entitled to ask a question. It is good to have a debate, discussion, dialogue, discourse," Pitroda told PTI.
3. 'I am just saying give me more facts'
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"My asking a question should not create the kind of reaction it has created, even at the level of the prime minister. I am baffled," the technocrat-turned-politician said.
Attacking Pitroda, Modi also said: "Loyal courtier of Congress' royal dynasty admits what the nation already knew -- Congress was unwilling to respond to forces of terror. This is a New India- we will answer terrorists in a language they understand and with interest!." He also asserted that he was neither questioning the armed forces as being alleged by the BJP and the prime minister nor the government.
"I am just saying give me more facts," Pitroda said.
Days after the Pulwama terror attack that claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans, Indian Air Force fighter jets bombed terror group JeM training camp near Balakot inside Pakistan on February 26.
Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations the next day. However, the IAF thwarted their plans.
He also asserted that his remarks were in his personal capacity and had nothing to do with the Congress.
Pitroda, a long-time friend of the Gandhi family, led the telecom revolution under Rajiv Gandhi when he set up the C-DOT. He worked on the Knowledge Commission and also founded National Innovation Council during the UPA rule.
