Indians not racist, live with 'blacks' in south: ex-BJP MP

Ex-MP's comments cause outrage after interview goes viral on social media

Former Bharatiya Janata Party MP Tarun Vijay has sparked controversy after claiming Indians cannot be called racists as they live with 'black people' from southern Indian states.

“If we were racist, why would we have the entire south, which is complete, you know, Tamil, you know Kerala, you know Karnataka and Andhra, why do we live with them? We have black people around us,” Vijay said during a discussion on Al Jazeera.

Vijay was defending India against racism charges after attacks on African students.



The statement was made during a discussion as a reply to another Indian panelist, Bengaluru-based photographer Mahesh Shantaram who asked, "Why are people saying Indians are racist? Why are Indians saying Indians are racist? Why are people abroad and those who visit our beautiful nation feeling that Indians are racist?”

Vijay's comments led to an outrage after the interview was shared on social media. The remarks also embarrassed the former MP's party colleagues and leadership. The remarks came only days after BJP chief called for the expansion of party's roots in the southern states.

Speaking to The Indian Express, three senior BJP leaders said Vijay's comments were "extremely embarrassing" and could potentially damage the image of the party in the south. “It’s really bad for us that this has come the day after our party chief wanted leaders to strengthen the party in the southern states. In spite of all the explanations and the apologies, such statements will damage the party’s image and adversely affect its efforts to come up as a party for all,” said one leader.



Vijay apologised and explained his stance in a series of tweets. “We have different people, in colour and culture and still never had any racism,” he posted.

“My words perhaps were not enough to convey this. Feel bad, really feel sorry, my apologies to those who feel I said different than what I meant,” he wrote.

Mywords perhaps were not enough to convey this.Feel bad,really feel sorry, my apologies to those who feel i said different than what I meant https://t.co/I7MddEJk5W

— Tarun Vijay (@Tarunvijay) April 7, 2017

I feel the entire statement sas this- we have fought racism and we have people with different colour and culture still never had any racism.

— Tarun Vijay (@Tarunvijay) April 7, 2017

This article originally appeared on The Indian Express.