Ravneet Singh Bittu (L)/Protests by Youth Congress (R)
Ravneet Singh Bittu has again slammed the Congress, likening Congress’s actions to the 1984 Sikh riots. His remarks followed protests by the Indian Youth Congress.
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, who sparked a controversy with his remarks on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday said any person who exposes the Gandhi family faces threats of arson and violence. Bittu’s recent statement came after a video on news agency ANI showed members of the Indian Youth Congress holding a protest against the Union Minister.
#WATCH | Delhi: Members of the Indian Youth Congress hold protest against Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and other BJP leaders over their statement on Lok Sabha LoP & Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. pic.twitter.com/Y0i7Bg8pGb— ANI (@ANI) September 18, 2024
“Congress is back to its old tricks:- Anyone who exposes the Gandhi family faces threats of arson and violence, reminiscent of the 1984 Sikh riots,” Bittu wrote on X.
“Is this what they call their ‘mohabbat ki dukan’? People are watching and taking note!” he added.
Congress is back to its old tricks:- Anyone who exposes the Gandhi family faces threats of arson and violence, reminiscent of the 1984 Sikh riots. Is this what they call their ‘mohabbat ki dukan’?People are watching and taking note! https://t.co/fR4FZTfjC3
— Ravneet Singh Bittu (@RavneetBittu) September 18, 2024
BITTU’S REMARKS ON RAHUL GANDHI
On September 15, Bittu slammed Rahul Gandhi over his statement while he was on a visit to the United States, about the condition of Sikhs in India.
Reacting to Gandhi’s statement, Bittu said if those “manufacturing bombs” were supporting him, he is the “number one terrorist”.
Bittu, the MoS for railways, made the remark in Bihar’s Bhagalpur where he came to attend the flagging-off ceremony of a Vande Bharat Express train to Howrah.
Speaking to reporters, Bittu said, “Rahul Gandhi spent most of his time outside the country. His friends and family are there. I think he does not love his country much because he goes abroad and says negative things about India. I think he is not a Hindustani.”
“Now, he has got support from separatists, who always talk about dividing this country. They (separatists) and the most-wanted persons are also appreciating Rahul Gandhi for his remarks against Sikhs. When such people, who are also experts in manufacturing bombs, are supporting Rahul Gandhi, then he is the number one terrorist of the country. He is talking like a separatist. There should be a reward for catching him as he is the biggest enemy of the country,” he added.
Bittu alleged that Congress earlier tried to “use” Muslims, but as that could not happen, it was now attempting to divide Sikhs.
“Gandhi talks about Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and other castes. He has not been able to understand the pain of a cobbler, carpenter or mechanic, even after being the leader of the opposition. This is a joke,” he said.
CONTROVERSY OVER BITTU’s REMARK
As soon as Bittu’s remarks hit the headlines, the Congress party blasted him, saying his statement was “derogatory” and “unacceptable”. The party also demanded an apology from him.
Condemning the recent remarks made by Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu against Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Tuesday said, “The language used by Union Minister Bittu against Rahul Gandhi is not befitting. He should apologise because he is a minister. The government should apologise. It is not right to use such cheap language against the leader of the opposition.”
Pilot also claimed the BJP is on the back foot in the Haryana elections.
“It is lagging in the elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir. It finds itself behind the Congress, so in frustration, the BJP leaders have no option left, except to target Rahul,” he said.
BJP SAYS AGAINST PARTY’s CULTURE
Bittu’s remarks were also condemned by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as party leader MA Naqvi on Monday said the comments were against his party’s culture and asserted that such “dirty talk” was in “bad taste”.
“This is neither the BJP’s culture nor that of our country. We can be political rivals and opponents but indulging in such dirty talk and using such a language is in bad taste,” Naqvi told news agency PTI when asked about Bittu’s remarks targeting Gandhi.
“Those who talk like this, it is injurious to their political health. The BJP’s culture of politeness is its USP and must be adhered to by all,” he said, without taking anyone’s name.