PM Modi Condemns Rahul Gandhi's 'Traitor' Remark, Accuses Congress of Insulting Sikh Community
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his "traitor" remark against Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, accusing the opposition party of insulting the Sikh community and showing consistent hatred towards them. The Prime Minister's strong comments came during his reply to the Motion of Thanks to the President's address in the Rajya Sabha.
"Congress Has Hatred Towards Sikhs"
"The prince of Congress called Bittu 'gaddar' because he is a Sikh. The Congress has hatred towards Sikhs and has always insulted the Sikh community," Prime Minister Modi stated emphatically in Parliament. He further emphasized that "Congress's gaddar remark has insulted the Sikhs and the Gurus. We will not tolerate this."
The Prime Minister expressed his disappointment that the Congress leader had not yet tendered an apology for the remarks, questioning what had stopped him from doing so. This parliamentary confrontation comes amid heightened political tensions between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress party.
Parliamentary Confrontation Details
The incident that sparked this controversy occurred on Wednesday right outside Parliament's Makar Dwar, the main entrance that MPs use to enter the new Parliament building. Rahul Gandhi was standing in solidarity with suspended Congress MPs, most of whom hail from Punjab, when Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu passed by.
According to videos released by the Congress party, Bittu remarked about the suspended MPs, "they are sitting here as if they have won a war." This prompted Rahul Gandhi to respond sharply, pointing at Bittu and saying, "The thing is, here is a traitor walking right by. Take a look at the face. How he looks."
Heated Exchange Captured on Video
The confrontation escalated when Rahul Gandhi extended his hand for a handshake, addressing Bittu as "Hello brother, my traitor friend." He added, "Don't worry, you will come back to the Congress," referring to Bittu's previous association with the Congress party before joining the BJP.
However, Bittu declined to shake hands and instead pointed at Gandhi, calling him "desh ke dushman" (enemy of the nation). The Union Minister was seen in the videos quickly moving past the Makar Dwar stairs while repeating his "desh ke dushman" charge multiple times, even as the Congress leaders and suspended MPs continued to jeer at him.
Political Implications and Community Sentiments
This exchange has significant political implications, particularly given:
- The sensitivity of remarks involving religious communities in Indian politics
- The historical context of Sikh political representation
- The ongoing parliamentary session dynamics
- The positioning of parties ahead of upcoming political engagements
Prime Minister Modi's strong condemnation in the Rajya Sabha reflects the government's stance on maintaining respect for all communities while criticizing what he perceives as Congress's pattern of behavior toward Sikhs. The incident has sparked discussions about parliamentary decorum, political discourse standards, and inter-community relations in contemporary Indian politics.
As the political fallout continues, observers are watching how both parties will navigate this controversy, particularly in Punjab where Sikh voters play a crucial role in electoral outcomes. The exchange highlights the increasingly confrontational nature of Indian parliamentary politics and the careful balancing act required when comments involve specific religious or community identities.
