'Traitor friend': Rahul Gandhi targets turncoat Ravneet Bittu during protest at Parliament
A heated verbal exchange broke out between Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu at Parliament on Tuesday, adding to the charged political atmosphere amid ongoing protests by Opposition MPs.
The confrontation took place near the Makar Dwar during a demonstration by Congress members ahead of the day’s proceedings.
As Bittu walked past the protesting MPs, Gandhi called him a “traitor friend,” a remark that drew an immediate, sharp response from the BJP leader.
Bittu, a three-time MP and Union Minister of State for Railways who switched from the Congress to the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, hit back by calling Gandhi a “desh ke dushman” (enemy of the nation).
He also refused to shake hands with Gandhi, who had briefly extended his hand during the exchange.
The altercation followed Bittu’s comment on the protesting Congress MPs, whom he reportedly said were “sitting as if they had won a war”.
Later, explaining his reaction, Bittu launched a scathing attack on the Gandhi family, referring to Operation Blue Star and the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. “A sardar will never shake hands with the scion of the Gandhi family,” he said, accusing them of speaking against the armed forces and the country.
Speaking to NDTV, Bittu alleged that Gandhi attempted to attack him during the exchange. He said he would consult his party colleagues on whether Gandhi’s conduct warranted a privilege motion in Parliament.
The remarks sparked wider political reactions. Sikh leaders, including Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, condemned Gandhi’s “traitor” comment, asserting that Sikhs could not be labelled as traitors.
A protest by members of the Sikh community was also held outside the Congress headquarters.
The Congress, however, defended Gandhi’s remarks, arguing that the term “traitor” was appropriate for political leaders who had “betrayed” the party.
Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said the remarks reflected frustration over the government allegedly preventing the Leader of the Opposition from speaking in the House.
The exchange took place on a day when tensions in Parliament were already high, following the suspension of eight Opposition MPs for the remainder of the Budget Session for alleged violations of House rules.
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