“Sought Sikh blood then, seek it today’: Ravneet Singh Bittu responds to controversial remarks by Telangana Congress MLA

New Delhi [India], September 20 (ANI): BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu has reacted to comments made by a Congress MLA in Telangana, who allegedly offered land as a reward for anyone who beheads him. Bittu stated in a post on X, “1984 to 2024, Congress hasn’t changed. They sought Sikh blood then, and they seek it today as well. Kharge ji Mohabbat ki Dukan?”

The controversy began when Vedma Bojju, the Congress MLA from Khanapur in Nirmal district, reportedly announced he would give away 1.38 acres of land to anyone who kills Union Minister Bittu. This statement followed Bittu’s remarks referring to Rahul Gandhi as the “number one terrorist.”

The Telangana BJP condemned Bojju’s comments through a social media post. They said, “Khanapur Congress MLA Vedma Bojju has declared that he would give away 1.38 acres of land to anyone who beheads Union Minister Ravneet Bittu. In Telangana, Rahul’s so-called ‘Mohabbat ki Dukan,’ such dangerous provocations and criminal incitement have become disturbingly normalised.”

Bittu clarified his earlier comments about Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, explaining that they were in response to the Congress party’s silence on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s support for Gandhi’s statements about Sikhs during his recent visit to the US. In a video statement, Bittu said, “When Rahul Gandhi said something against Sikhs, he was supported by the biggest enemy of the country, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.” He expressed disappointment that Congress leaders did not condemn Pannun’s backing.

Bittu accused Gandhi of aligning with Pannun, who has been labelled a terrorist by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs. He claimed, “Whatever Rahul Gandhi said about Sikhs was endorsed by the most dangerous terrorist.” Bittu added, “It would have been better if you had condemned Pannun for backing Rahul Gandhi’s statement.”

Gandhi’s comments regarding the Sikh community triggered political backlash. He stated that his fight in India was about the rights to wear a turban or kada and to visit a Gurdwara. Following this, Pannun called Gandhi’s remarks a “bold and pioneering statement” in support of the Khalistan independence movement.

In response to Bittu’s comments, the Congress party filed a police complaint against him and three other NDA leaders for making objectionable remarks about Gandhi. Many Congress leaders and members of the Indian Youth Congress have condemned Bittu’s statements.

Bittu’s original statement on Gandhi read, “Rahul Gandhi is not an Indian; he has spent most of his time outside. He doesn’t love his country much because he goes abroad and says everything in the wrong way. The people who are most wanted–separatists and experts in making bombs, guns, and shells–have appreciated what Rahul Gandhi has said. The enemies of the country who try to blow up planes, trains, and roads are in support of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi is the country’s number one terrorist. The biggest enemy of the country whom the agencies should catch is Rahul Gandhi today.”