Bittu Reaffirms His Stance Against Rahul, Urges Congress to Protest Its Own Leader

Targeted by the Congress over his comments against Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu defended his stand and said the opposition party should instead protest against Gandhi's remarks in the US on Sikhs.

Bittu had attacked Gandhi a few days ago, terming as "number one terrorist" the Congress leader, to whom if those "manufacturing bombs" were supporting him.

An FIR has been registered against Bittu for his remarks in Bengaluru on a complaint by one of the officer-bearers of the Congress' Karnataka unit.

"Rahul Gandhi himself goes to Gurudwara Darbar Sahib so many times. Who stops him? Therefore, this is not a matter of the party, it is above the party." "The Air Force chief wears a turban and the CISF chief is a Sikh." Bittu, the minister of state for Railways, who was here on Monday to inaugurate the 57th Inter Railway Shooting Competition at the Jagatpura Shooting range. What do you mean by saying such words here in America? " the union minister said at the inaugural address of the event. "Either Rahul Gandhi is a 'Pappu'… or he is a very naughty, cunning man." Talking to reporters at the Jaipur airport earlier on Monday, Bittu said, "Name a person who has stopped us from wearing a bracelet. Who has stopped us from wearing a turban? Who has stopped us from going to the Gurudwara?

" So, if Congress has to protest, it should protest against Rahul Gandhi. It is not Congress or BJP.
It is Punjab and Sikhs, he said.

Earlier in the day, Congress workers held a protest here against Bittu for his remarks on Gandhi. They were detained by the police and later released at different locations.

Ashok Gehlot said in a statement that the arrest of Congress workers protesting against the "violent" statement of Bittu was condemnable. "In a democracy, showing black flags and raising slogans while following the security norms is a part of the democratic process. Ravneet Bittu should apologise to the entire country for his statement," the former Rajasthan chief minister said. Rahul Gandhi, while visiting the United States, had then said that the fight back home is on whether a Sikh would be allowed to wear a turban. whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a kada or go to the Gurudwara. That's what the fight is about, and it's not just for Sikhs, but for all religions, " said Ms. Sreemathy from Malappuram after attending the Meet will say later at a National Democratic Alliance rally in the village. Hitting back, Bittu had 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 believe he is not a Hindustani. Now, separatists, who always talk of the division of this country, have provided him with support. Along with most-wanted persons, they are appreciating Rahul Gandhi for his statement against Sikhs.

"When such people, who are also experts in manufacturing bombs, are supporting Rahul Gandhi, then he is the number one terrorist in 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," the Union minister had said.

While inaugurating the event in Jaipur on Monday, Bittu said the budget for purchasing sports equipment would increase manifold with the Railways providing sportspersons with all training facilities.

The government would do all things possible to fulfill Prime Minister Narendra Modi's dream of organizing the Olympic Games in India in 2038 and to increase the number of medals, he added. The Union minister also said that the Railways was putting in tremendous efforts to encourage sports. Indoor stadium providing sports facilities for basketball, volleyball, kabaddi, badminton, table tennis, wrestling and other sports would be constructed at a cost of Rs 40.50 crore in Ganpati Nagar Railway Colony. Bittu added that it would be completed within two years.