“Hello Brother, My Traitor Friend”: Heated Clash Between Rahul Gandhi And Ravneet Bittu In Parliament

A brief but sharp verbal clash between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union minister Ravneet Bittu inside Parliament on Wednesday quickly escalated into a political controversy, with both sides trading strong remarks. The moment, captured on camera, unfolded as suspended MPs posed for a video on the steps of Parliament, drawing attention from leaders nearby.

Exchange On Parliament Steps Caught On Camera

The confrontation began when Bittu, taking a swipe at the gathering, remarked: "Ye Kargil ki jung jeet ke aaye hain [seems like they have the won the Kargil war]." Gandhi responded immediately, saying: "Here is a traitor walking right by."

As Bittu approached the group, Gandhi doubled down on his comment: "Take a look at the face. That's what he looks like." He then added, "hello brother, my traitor friend. Don't worry, you will come back (to Congress)," while extending a handshake that Bittu refused.

In response, the Union minister called Gandhi "desh ke dushman" (enemy of the country), triggering a fresh political row.

Bittu Defends Himself, Targets Gandhi Family

Reacting to the incident, Bittu told that Gandhi had publicly referred to him as a "traitor" and highlighted the handshake episode at the Parliament gate. He alleged that the Gandhi family was responsible for disrespect faced by Sikhs and cited incidents such as attacks on gurudwaras in Punjab.

Accusing them of making statements against the country, Bittu questioned why he was being targeted despite being the grandson of a martyr whose family had sacrificed for the nation. He added that he could not shake hands with such people, which is why he responded firmly.

Bittu had left the Congress on March 26, 2024, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and joined the BJP before contesting the polls under his new party banner, though he was unsuccessful.

BJP Leaders Rally Against Gandhi

The BJP swiftly criticised Gandhi, describing his remark as insulting to the Sikh community. Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said: "If anyone is a traitor, it is Rahul Gandhi. Sikhs can never be traitors. The usage of such words shows that the mentality of the Congress has not changed over the years."

Referring to Operation Bluestar, Sirsa added that the Gandhi family had historically stood against the Sikh community and urged the Lok Sabha Speaker to take action against Gandhi at the earliest.

Party leader Shehzad Poonawalla also attacked the Congress MP, invoking the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. "Bittu's family gave up their lives for the country and to term him a traitor is uncalled for. The Sikh community will not forget this insult," he said.

Political Tensions Rise Amid Budget Session Disruptions

The episode came on a turbulent day in Parliament. The Lok Sabha was adjourned until noon after opposition members raised slogans over the suspension of eight MPs during the ongoing Budget Session.

Those suspended were Congress MPs Hibi Eden, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy and Dean Kuriakose, along with CPI(M) MP S Venkatesan. They were suspended for the remainder of the session for violating House rules and throwing papers at the Chair during protests linked to Gandhi's demand to discuss the standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control.

Outside Parliament, the suspended MPs staged demonstrations holding posters that branded the prime minister as "compromised," echoing allegations Gandhi had earlier made while speaking to the media about the India-US trade agreement.