Rahul Gandhi's 'Traitor' Remark Sparks Outrage Among BJP Leaders

Political Tensions Escalate in Parliament

New Delhi: Following a heated exchange in Parliament, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi labeled Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu a 'traitor', igniting a fierce backlash from the BJP. The party condemned Gandhi's comment as an affront to the Sikh community and urged the Lok Sabha speaker to take appropriate measures against him.

Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri criticized Gandhi's remarks, asserting that they crossed the boundaries of acceptable discourse.

BJP leaders, including Puri and Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, accused the Congress of perpetuating an 'anti-Sikh mentality' reminiscent of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Sirsa claimed that the true traitors were the Gandhi family, referencing the tragic events surrounding the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Bittu, who has served as a three-time MP and is currently the Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries, recently transitioned from Congress to BJP ahead of the upcoming 2024 elections.

The confrontation unfolded as Bittu entered Parliament, where Gandhi called him a 'traitor', to which Bittu responded by labeling Gandhi an 'enemy of the nation'.

This incident occurred at the Makar Dwar, the primary entrance for MPs to the new Parliament building, where Gandhi was showing support for suspended Congress MPs protesting on the steps.

Bittu remarked that the suspended Congress MPs were behaving as if they had achieved a significant victory.

Gandhi further taunted Bittu, saying, 'Look at the traitor walking by. Just look at his face.' He then extended his hand for a handshake, referring to Bittu as his 'traitor friend' and suggested he would eventually return to Congress.

Bittu declined the handshake, reiterating his accusation of Gandhi being a 'desh ke dushman' (enemy of the nation).

In footage shared by Congress, Bittu can be seen hastily moving past the Makar Dwar, continuing to accuse the Congress leaders of treachery while they jeered at him.

Bittu later criticized Gandhi, questioning why he only directed such comments at him, a Sikh, rather than other MPs.

He emphasized his family's legacy, noting that his grandfather, Beant Singh, was martyred due to violence linked to the Gandhi family.

Bittu expressed his disdain for Gandhi's attempt at camaraderie, stating he would never align with someone he views as responsible for the suffering of Sikhs.

Puri, in a post on X, condemned Gandhi's language, arguing that it undermines the dignity of Sikh leaders and the sacrifices made by their community.

He highlighted the contributions of Sikhs to the nation and called Gandhi's comments a disgrace to their legacy.

Sirsa echoed these sentiments, asserting that Gandhi's remarks insulted the Sikh community and called for action from the Lok Sabha speaker.