A heated exchange erupted between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu at the Parliament complex on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, resulting in a political firestorm. The confrontation occurred near Makar Dwar, the main entrance to the Parliament building, where Gandhi was participating in a protest with other Congress MPs.

As Bittu walked past the protesting MPs, Gandhi allegedly remarked, "Here is a traitor walking right by. Look at the face,". He also extended his hand, saying, "Hello, brother, my traitor friend. Don't worry, you will come back (to Congress)". Bittu, who previously served as a Congress MP before joining the BJP in March 2024, refused to shake hands and retorted, calling Gandhi "desh ke dushman" (enemy of the country). He further accused Gandhi of speaking against the Indian Army and the country.

Bittu, the grandson of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was assassinated by Khalistani terrorists in 1995, also invoked the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the attack on the Golden Temple, stating that the Gandhi family was responsible for the "fire" in Punjab. He stated that he would never shake hands with a member of the Gandhi family, whom he called "murderers of Sikhs".

The incident quickly went viral, sparking condemnation from BJP leaders, who accused Gandhi of insulting the Sikh community. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that the word "traitor" carries a grave meaning and that Gandhi's comment was especially insulting given Bittu's family history. He alluded to the 1984 Golden Temple incident, implying the Gandhi family's role in the events. Delhi BJP MLA Arvinder Singh Lovely stated that the Sikh community was deeply hurt by Gandhi's remark.

In response, Punjab Congress leaders defended Gandhi's statement, asserting that Bittu had betrayed the party's ideology and the legacy of his grandfather by joining the BJP. They argued that the term "traitor" referred to Bittu's defection and was not intended as an insult to the Sikh community. Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa stated that Bittu owes his political career to the Congress and that his defection could not be repackaged as patriotism.

The confrontation highlights the deep-seated political divisions and historical grievances that continue to fuel tensions between the Congress and BJP, particularly in Punjab. It also underscores the personal nature of political rivalries, with both Gandhi and Bittu invoking family legacies and past associations in their exchange.