PM Modi accuses Rahul Gandhi of ‘anti-Sikh mindset’ over ‘traitor’ remark on Ravneet Bittu

PM Modi Slams Rahul Gandhi Over ‘Traitor’ Jibe at Ravneet Bittu, Calls It an ‘Anti-Sikh Mindset’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday accused the Congress of an “anti-Sikh mindset” after Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi referred to BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu as a “traitor” outside Parliament.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during his reply to the motion of thanks to the President’s address, Modi said, “Yesterday, the Prince of Congress called an MP a ‘traitor’. Their arrogance has reached new heights. Many leaders have left Congress in the past, but they were not called traitors. They called him a traitor because he was a Sikh.”

“This was an insult to all Sikhs and reflects deep-seated hatred for the community. He is an MP whose family has made sacrifices for the nation. Just because he changed his political views, he was called a ‘gaddar’ (traitor)?” Modi added. He further emphasised, “If someone calls my citizens traitors, how will the nation tolerate this? Just because he is a Sikh, is he a traitor?”

Rahul Gandhi’s Comments

The controversy erupted on Wednesday outside Parliament when Gandhi, posing with suspended MPs, referred to Bittu — a former Congress MP who joined the BJP in March 2024 — as a “traitor.” Gandhi reportedly said, “Take a look at the face. That’s what he looks like. Hello brother, my traitor friend. Don’t worry, you will come back,” while Bittu refused a handshake, calling him a “Desh ke Dushman” (enemy of India).

BJP leaders, including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, condemned Gandhi’s remarks, calling them “insulting to the entire Sikh community” and “beyond all boundaries of civility.” Congress leaders defended Gandhi, arguing Bittu had left the party despite its support.

Broader Rajya Sabha Remarks

Modi also criticised the Congress for insulting President Droupadi Murmu, Dalits, and people from the Northeast. He claimed, “Disrespecting the people of the country seems ingrained in Congress’s behaviour. Even yesterday in the Lok Sabha, discussion on the President’s Address could not take place — an insult to the office of the President.”

He also highlighted Congress’s alleged disrespect toward Dalits and Adivasis, and referenced the award of the Bharat Ratna to former Assamese politician Bhupen Hazarika as a point of contention.