On Wednesday at around 11.30 a.m., an incident at Parliament’s Makar Dwar left many stunned, triggering a political storm. As Rahul Gandhi arrived to meet Congress MPs suspended from the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu was entering Parliament through the same gate. It was at this point, Bittu alleged, that Rahul Gandhi called him a “traitor”, prompting a sharp retort and widespread condemnation of Gandhi’s remarks.
Speaking exclusively to us, Bittu described the episode and questioned the propriety of such language being used on the steps of Parliament. He said political differences were one thing, but using such words within the precincts of Parliament was entirely inappropriate. He added that the remark was not merely an insult to him, but to Punjabis and Sikhs at large.
What happened between Rahul Gandhi and Ravneet Singh Bittu?
Bittu said he was on official duty and was headed to the House to present a paper. At around 11.30 a.m., he reached Makar Dwar, where Congress leaders Raja Warring and Gurjeet Singh Aujla were standing on the steps. He claimed he had not even noticed Rahul Gandhi when the remark was allegedly shouted from a distance.
Bittu further said that as he was going upstairs, Rahul Gandhi attempted to shake his hand and asked him to come over. He said he refused, telling Gandhi that he would not shake hands with someone who, according to him, spoke about “breaking the country”.
Bittu claimed the exchange escalated, and that senior Congress leaders K C Venugopal and Sukhbir Singh Randhawa intervened to restrain Rahul Gandhi.
He alleged that the Gandhi family had historically been hostile towards Sikhs, recalling the violence against the community in the past, including attacks on religious sites and homes. He said the incident at Parliament reflected what he described as a lack of restraint and sensitivity on Gandhi’s part.
Bittu also claimed there was a deeper political grievance, saying that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah accorded him respect, he felt sidelined earlier. According to Bittu, this resentment surfaced during the confrontation.
Will you demand an apology from Rahul Gandhi or approach the Speaker?
Bittu said some wounds never heal, and added that since Gandhi had never apologised for past actions affecting the Sikh community, he did not expect or seek an apology now. He said the matter should be left to the people to judge.
Will this have an impact in Punjab?
Bittu said there was widespread anger in Punjab over the incident. He claimed that the remarks had reopened old wounds and amounted to an insult to the entire Sikh community, adding that public sentiment in the state would reflect this anger in due course.
