The incident, caught on camera, occurred on the steps of Parliament as suspended Opposition MPs gathered to record a video, drawing attention from leaders passing by.
Rahul Gandhi, Ravneet Bittu in verbal spat on Parliament steps
New Delhi: A brief but heated exchange between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu inside the Parliament complex on Wednesday snowballed into a fresh political controversy, with both leaders trading sharp remarks.
The incident, caught on camera, occurred on the steps of Parliament as suspended Opposition MPs gathered to record a video, drawing attention from leaders passing by.
Heated Exchange Caught on Camera
The confrontation began when Bittu, reacting to the gathering, made a sarcastic remark, saying, “Ye Kargil ki jung jeet ke aaye hain” (It seems they have returned after winning the Kargil war).
Rahul Gandhi immediately responded, referring to Bittu as a “traitor.” As the Union Minister moved closer, Gandhi reiterated his remark and added, “Hello brother, my traitor friend. Don’t worry, you will come back,” while offering a handshake, which Bittu declined.
The exchange escalated when Bittu retorted by calling Gandhi “desh ke dushman” (enemy of the nation), further intensifying the confrontation.
Bittu Hits Back, Targets Gandhi Family
Responding later, Ravneet Singh Bittu accused Rahul Gandhi of publicly branding him a “traitor” and referred to the incident at the Parliament gate. He alleged that the Gandhi family had historically disrespected Sikhs, citing incidents of violence and attacks on gurdwaras in Punjab.
Bittu said he was deeply hurt by the remarks, asserting that he comes from a family that made sacrifices for the nation and that his grandfather was a martyr. “I cannot shake hands with people who make statements against the country,” he said, explaining his refusal to engage with Gandhi.
Political Context
Bittu, who quit the Congress on March 26, 2024, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections and contested the polls on the BJP ticket, though he did not secure a win.
The altercation has triggered sharp reactions from both parties, adding to the already charged atmosphere in Parliament amid ongoing protests and suspensions of Opposition MPs.
