Insults fly as Rahul Gandhi, Ravneet Bittu trade ‘traitor’ and ‘enemy of the country’ jibes

A sharp exchange of words between Lok Sabha Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu escalated into a political controversy on Wednesday (February 4, 2026), prompting BJP-led Sikh groups to protest outside the Congress office in the city by late afternoon.

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The confrontation took place near Parliament’s “Makar Dwar”, where Congress MPs were protesting the suspension of eight Opposition MPs from the Lok Sabha the previous day. The suspension followed disruptions over the India-U.S. trade deal, and Mr. Gandhi’s attempt to quote from a magazine report carrying excerpts from former Army chief General (retd) Mukund Naravane’s unpublished book, Four Stars of Destiny, which was not permitted.

As Mr. Bittu was walking past the protesting MPs, Mr. Gandhi remarked, “Here is a traitor”—referring to Mr. Bittu’s switch from the Congress to the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls—adding, “Look at the face.” Extending his hand for a handshake, Mr. Gandhi said, “Hello brother, my traitor friend. Don’t worry, you will come back (to the Congress).” To this, Mr Bittu responded by calling Mr. Gandhi “Desh ka dushman” (enemy of the country).

Voices were raised as Mr. Bittu climbed the stairs leading into Parliament. Speaking to the media later, he alleged that there was an attempt to manhandle him while he was entering the complex. “They behaved like a ‘sadak ka gunda’ (street thug). He (Rahul Gandhi) did the same thing even inside the House; the Speaker sent them out. I was good for you as long as I was with you (in the Congress). Now that I am in the BJP, you have started disliking me,” he said. Mr. Bittu then went on to recall the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 that followed the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “I said, you are the biggest traitor of this country—the murderers of Sikhs,” he said.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri later held a press conference, decrying Mr. Gandhi’s “traitor” remark. He described it as “a slur on every Sikh” and “an insult to the contributions made by Sikhs in every sphere and to our faith”. He also said the remark also insulted “the sacrifice of Bittuji’s grandfather and former Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Beant Singh.”

Responding to the BJP’s claims, Congress MLA from Punjab Sukhpal Singh Khaira accused the ruling party of conflating the criticism of Mr. Bittu with an insult to the Sikh community. In a post on “X”, Mr. Khaira said, “The word ‘My Traitor Friend’ used by @RahulGandhi LoP was to address @RavneetBittu as an individual who ditched the party in testing times and is by no means an insult to the Sikh community as being portrayed by @HardeepSPuri and other @BJP4India leaders ! It is common knowledge that @INCIndia always rewarded Ravneet Bittu and his family with high positions and made him MP three times from Punjab. It is his cowardly conduct that has earned him the adjective “Traitor” ! And lastly, @RavneetBittu has been rejected by Punjab and does not represent the state or the Sikh community in any way”.

Later in the day, the Delhi BJP also staged a protest outside the Congress office in New Delhi over the issue.