Congress workers protest against Giriraj Singh's "racist" remarks

BENGALURU: Congress and NSUI workers today staged a protest here, demanding dismissal of Union Minister Giriraj Singh for his " racist" and "distasteful" remarks against party President Sonia Gandhi.

Singh had kicked up a major row with his remarks, wondering if Congress would have accepted Gandhi's leadership if she was not white-skinned.

Congress workers assembled at a major junction, about a km away from the hotel where top BJP leaders have gathered for the party's two-day National Executive meeting beginning here tomorrow. The workers shouted slogans against Singh and burnt his effigy.

State Mahila Congress chief Manjula Naidu condemned the minister's "racist" remarks and said an apology from him would not do and he should be sacked.

The protesters were whisked away by police.