Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu has branded Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, as ’Number 1 Terrorist.’
‘If there were an award for identifying the number one terrorist and the greatest threat to the nation, it would go to Rahul Gandhi,’ Mr. Bittu declared, adding that Mr. Gandhi’s comments were tantamount to supporting terrorism.
Speaking in Bhagalpur, Bihar, Mr. Bittu was responding to Mr. Gandhi’s comments made during his visit to the United States regarding the condition of Sikhs in India.
The controversy erupted when Rahul Gandhi, speaking to an audience in Washington D.C., highlighted what he perceived as threats to religious freedom in India, particularly mentioning the rights of Sikhs to wear turbans and kadas.
Ravneet Singh Bittu, who transitioned from the Congress to the BJP earlier this year, accused Rahul Gandhi of not only misrepresenting the situation of Sikhs but also of aligning with separatist elements.
The Congress party quickly retaliated.
Punjab’s opposition leader, Partap Singh Bajwa, expressed concern over Minister Bittu’s understanding of constitutional values, labeling his accusations against Gandhi as a clear manifestation of a troubling disconnect, and suggested the Union Minister had a mental affliction.
Senior leader K.C. Venugopal criticized Minister Bittu’s remarks as a ‘minimum qualification’ for BJP ministers, indicating a culture of personal attacks rather than policy debate. ‘This shows the level of hatred and disdain that these BJP leaders harbor in their hearts,’ he said.