‘Anti-Sikh mindset’: PM Modi hits out at Rahul Gandhi over Ravneet Bittu ‘traitor’ jibe

PM Modi Accuses Rahul Gandhi of ‘Anti-Sikh Mindset’ Over Bittu ‘Traitor’ Remark

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

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during his reply to the motion of thanks to the President’s address, Modi said, “Many leaders have left Congress in the past, but they were not called traitors. They called him a traitor because he is a Sikh. This was an insult to all Sikhs.”

Modi added, “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). If someone calls my citizens traitors, how will the nation tolerate this?”

The Incident

The controversy arose on Wednesday when Gandhi, posing with suspended MPs outside Parliament, 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.” Bittu refused a handshake and called Gandhi a “Desh ke Dushman” (enemy of India).

BJP leaders, including Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, condemned Gandhi’s remarks as disrespectful to the Sikh community. Congress leaders defended Gandhi, arguing that Bittu had chosen to leave the party despite its support.

Modi Targets Congress More Broadly

Modi also criticised the Congress for insulting President Droupadi Murmu, Dalits, and people from the Northeast. “Disrespecting the people of the country seems ingrained in Congress’s behaviour,” he said. Modi highlighted Congress’s handling of discussions on the President’s address and its treatment of Dalits, Adivasis, and former Assamese politician Bhupen Hazarika as examples of the party’s alleged disrespect.