Parliament Protest Turns Personal as Rahul Gandhi and Ravneet Bittu Exchange Heated Words
In a dramatic confrontation on Parliament premises, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister of State Ravneet Bittu engaged in a bitter verbal exchange that has captured political attention. The incident occurred on Wednesday during protests by suspended Congress MPs outside Makar Dwar, highlighting the deepening political tensions in the ongoing Budget Session.
'My Traitor Friend' Remark Sparks Controversial Exchange
As Ravneet Bittu, who recently switched from Congress to BJP, passed by the protesting MPs, he remarked that they were "sitting here as if they have won a war." This comment prompted Rahul Gandhi to approach him with an extended hand and say, "Hello brother, my traitor friend. Don't worry, you will come back [to Congress]."
The Union Minister refused the handshake and immediately retorted with "Desh ke dushman" (enemy of the state), escalating the confrontation. Video footage shows both leaders exchanging words while suspended MPs in the background chanted "surrender, surrender" directed at Bittu.
Background of the Political Rivalry
Ravneet Bittu, grandson of late Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, represents a significant political shift. He served as Congress MP from Ludhiana and Anandpur Sahib before joining the Bharatiya Janata Party ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. This personal history adds layers to the current confrontation, making it more than just routine political sparring.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of suspended opposition MPs protesting with posters reading "PM is compromised" - a reference to Rahul Gandhi's repeated criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the India-US trade deal. Gandhi has been alleging that "PM Modi has been compromised" in trade negotiations.
Larger Context of Parliament Disruptions
This personal confrontation unfolded during a day of significant parliamentary disruption. The Lok Sabha was adjourned till noon amid heavy sloganeering by opposition members protesting the suspension of eight MPs a day earlier. The suspended members include:
- Congress MPs Hibi Eden, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Manickam Tagore
- Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, Dean Kuriakose
- CPI(M) MP S Venkatesan
These suspensions resulted from violations of parliamentary rules during uproar over Rahul Gandhi's insistence on discussing references to the 2020 India-China standoff in Ladakh. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju moved the suspension motion for "violating rules and throwing papers on the chair," which was adopted amid opposition protests.
Broader Political Implications
The exchange between Gandhi and Bittu reflects several ongoing political battles:
- Party Defections: The "traitor" reference highlights tensions around political defections, particularly from Congress to BJP
- Parliamentary Conduct: The incident showcases deteriorating decorum in parliamentary proceedings
- Opposition Strategy: Congress continues to press on multiple fronts including trade deals and national security matters
- Personal Politics: The exchange demonstrates how personal relationships influence political confrontations
Rahul Gandhi also raised issues related to former Army Chief MM Naravane's unpublished memoir concerning the 2020 Ladakh conflict, claiming it contains detailed accounts of government responses during the crisis. This indicates the opposition's multi-pronged approach to criticizing the government's handling of national security matters.
The captured video of the exchange has circulated widely, ensuring this personal-political confrontation remains in public discourse as Parliament continues its contentious Budget Session amidst suspensions and protests.
