PM Modi says Rahul Gandhi’s 'traitor' jibe at Ravneet Singh Bittu rooted in 'hatred towards Sikhs'

PM Modi in Rajya Sabha on Thursday

• PM Modi criticized Rahul Gandhi's "traitor" remark against Ravneet Singh Bittu
• Modi alleged Gandhi's comment showed prejudice against Sikhs
• Sikh leaders and Congress MPs reacted strongly to the controversy

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, in his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in the Rajya Sabha, took strong exception to Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi’s remark describing Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu as a “traitor,” alleging that the comment stemmed from animosity towards the Sikh community.

“Many factions have broken away from the Congress, but they have never been referred to as traitors. Why only Ravneet Singh Bittu? This was done because he is a Sikh, and no other opposition MP spoke against the insult by Rahul Gandhi,” the Prime Minister said in the Upper House.

PM Modi also asserted that Gandhi’s words reflected a deeper prejudice. “Rahul Gandhi's comment on MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu was because he hates Sikhs. He called him gaddar because he is a Sikh!” the Prime Minister said

The Prime Minister’s remarks came after a heated verbal exchange between Gandhi and Bittu earlier in the day in the Parliament complex.

During a protest near the Makar Dwar, Gandhi referred to the former Congress leader as a “traitor friend” while he was passing by on Wednesday. He then offered to shake hands, adding, “Hello, brother. My traitor friend. Don't worry, you will come back (to Congress).”

Bittu refused the handshake and shot back, “Desh ke dushman.”

Later explaining his reaction, Bittu accused the Gandhi family of historical wrongs linked to Operation Blue Star and the anti-Sikh riots.

“When he extended his hand, I said, ‘You are traitors and the enemy of the nation who talk ill of the forces and the country every day. A sardar will never shake hands with the scion of the Gandhi family, the murderer of Sikhs’,” he said.

Speaking to NDTV, the minister claimed Gandhi tried to physically target him. “I don't know whether he was on drugs today. He targeted me and attacked,” Bittu said, adding that he would consult party colleagues on whether Gandhi’s conduct warranted a privilege motion.

The controversy triggered reactions from other Sikh leaders. Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemned Gandhi’s remark, saying, “Rahul Gandhi and the Gandhi family are the traitors. Sikhs and sardars cannot be traitors. The remark reflects that there has been no change in the mindset of Congress.”

A protest by members of the Sikh community was also held outside the Congress headquarters.

The Congress defended its leader, arguing that the word used was justified. “What can we do when the Leader of the Opposition is not allowed to speak? Who made Bittu an MP? What else can we say about a betrayer?” said Congress MP Amarinder Raja Warring.

The confrontation unfolded against the backdrop of Opposition protests over the suspension of eight MPs from the Lok Sabha on Tuesday for the remainder of the Budget Session.

The suspended members include 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 CPM MP S Venkatesan.