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

Rahul Gandhi and Ravneet Bittu clash in Parliament, exchanging insults and escalating tensions between Congress and BJP amid protests.

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.

Also read: Parliament Budget Session Day 6 highlights on February 4, 2026

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attempt to quote from a magazine report carrying excerpts from former Army chief General (retd) Mukund Naravane’s unpublished book, Four Stars of Destiny, which was not permitted.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).

VIDEO | Parliament Session: When Union MoS Ravneet Singh Bittu passed by the protesting Congress MPs at Lok Sabha's Makar Dwar, Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi said, ""Here is a traitor walking right by. Look at the face... Hello my friend... you will come back (to… pic.twitter.com/Xv13858qPT

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.