The Rise of Ravneet Singh Bittu : From Congress Scion to Modi Cabinet Minister

Ravneet Singh Bittu is a prominent Indian politician currently serving as the Minister of State for Railways and Minister of State for Food Processing Industries in the Third Modi Ministry. Born into a high-profile political family in Punjab, he is the grandson of the late Beant Singh, the former Chief Minister who was assassinated while in office. Bittu’s political career began with the Indian National Congress, where he served as a three-time Member of Parliament, representing Anandpur Sahib and Ludhiana. During his tenure with the Congress, he rose to significant prominence, even serving briefly as the Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha in 2021.

In a major political shift in March 2024, Bittu crossed the aisle to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Although he was unable to secure the Ludhiana seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP leadership demonstrated their confidence in him by inducting him into the Union Cabinet. To formalize his position in the government, he was subsequently elected unopposed as a Rajya Sabha MP from Rajasthan in August 2024.Bittu is widely recognized for his hardline stance against radicalism and pro-Khalistan elements, a position shaped by his family’s personal tragedy. Most recently, on February 4, 2026, he made headlines for a heated exchange with Rahul Gandhi outside Parliament. After Gandhi reportedly called him a “traitor friend,” Bittu refused to shake his hand and retorted by calling Gandhi an “enemy of the nation”. This confrontation highlighted the deep political rift between Bittu and his former party colleagues. Today, he remains a key Punjabi face for the BJP, tasked with managing critical infrastructure and food processing portfolios at the national level.

Political Legacy and the Beant Singh Heritage

Ravneet Singh Bittu’s political identity is inextricably linked to the legacy of his grandfather, Beant Singh, the former Chief Minister of Punjab who is credited with playing a pivotal role in ending the decade-long insurgency in the state. Beant Singh’s assassination in a suicide bombing in 1995 at the Punjab Civil Secretariat remains a defining moment in Indian political history and serves as the moral and ideological foundation for Bittu’s career. Inheriting this “martyrdom” legacy, Bittu has consistently positioned himself as a staunch nationalist and a fierce opponent of pro-Khalistan sentiment, often stating that his family has paid the ultimate price for the unity of India.

This heritage provided Bittu with a powerful platform within the Indian National Congress for over two decades. Representing the third generation of this political dynasty, he utilized the family’s deep-rooted influence in Punjab to win three consecutive Lok Sabha terms. Unlike many modern politicians who shy away from sensitive historical grievances, Bittu has remained vocal about the 1980s militancy era, frequently clashing with radical elements and opposing the release of those convicted in his grandfather’s assassination case. He often cites the sacrifices of his family to validate his hardline stance on national security.

Even after his defection to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024, Bittu continues to leverage this legacy to bridge the gap between the BJP and the Sikh community. By invoking Beant Singh’s name, he attempts to project a brand of Sikh politics that is rooted in secularism and national integration, contrasting it with the separatist rhetoric he critiques in his opponents. This lineage remains his most potent political asset, granting him a unique level of authority when discussing Punjab’s security and its relationship with the central government.

Strategic Transition from Congress to the BJP

Ravneet Singh Bittu’s transition from the Congress to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in March 2024 marked a tectonic shift in Punjab’s political landscape. As a three-time MP and a close aide to the Gandhi family, his defection was seen as a major blow to the Congress. Bittu justified the move by citing a desire to bridge the gap between Punjab and the Central Government, arguing that the state’s development had been hindered by constant friction with Delhi. By joining the BJP, he positioned himself as a key mediator who could bring central schemes and infrastructure projects directly to the people of Punjab.

Despite losing his seat in the 2024 General Elections, the BJP leadership demonstrated their strategic commitment to him by inducting him into the Union Cabinet as the Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing. This move was followed by his election to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan in August 2024 to secure his ministerial position. This transition has redefined his public persona; once a frontline defender of Rahul Gandhi, he has now become one of the BJP’s most aggressive voices against his former party, culminating in the recent high-voltage confrontation with Gandhi outside Parliament in February 2026.

Ministerial Roles in the Third Modi Government

In the Third Modi Ministry, Ravneet Singh Bittu serves as the Minister of State for Railways and the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries. His appointment was a strategic move by the BJP to maintain strong representation for Punjab at the federal level, despite his narrow loss in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. By holding these two portfolios, Bittu sits at the intersection of critical infrastructure development and the agrarian economy, both of which are vital to his home state. As the Minister of State for Railways, he has focused on modernizing rail connectivity and overseeing the expansion of the Vande Bharat network.

In his role within the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, he works toward increasing the shelf life of agricultural produce and boosting farmers’ incomes through value-added processing units. His dual mandate is particularly significant for Punjab, as it allows him to advocate for better logistics and industrial incentives for the region’s agricultural sector. Bittu often uses his platform to highlight how the Central Government’s schemes can transform the rural landscape, positioning himself as a vital link between the Prime Minister’s vision and the grassroots needs of Northern India.

Stance on National Security and Anti-Radicalism

Ravneet Singh Bittu is widely recognized as one of the most vocal opponents of pro-Khalistan extremism in Indian politics. His hardline stance is deeply personal, rooted in the 1995 assassination of his grandfather, former CM Beant Singh, by militants. Bittu consistently advocates for a “zero-tolerance” policy toward separatist elements, frequently clashing with radical groups and political factions that he perceives as being soft on terror. He has been a prominent voice against the release of “Bandi Singhs” (Sikh prisoners), arguing that those involved in terrorism should serve their full sentences to maintain the hard-won peace in Punjab. His commitment to national security has often made him a target, leading the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide him with high-level Z-category security due to consistent threats from overseas extremist organizations. Since joining the BJP, Bittu has amplified his rhetoric, framing the fight against radicalism as a matter of national integrity. He frequently critiques the Congress and AAP for their handling of law and order in Punjab, positioning himself as a guardian of the state’s communal harmony. This unwavering position remains the cornerstone of his political identity, earning him both significant national support and intense local opposition.

Recent Parliamentary Face-off with Rahul Gandhi

On February 4, 2026, the premises of the Indian Parliament witnessed a high-voltage confrontation between Ravneet Singh Bittu and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi. The exchange occurred at the Makar Dwar while opposition MPs were protesting against the central government. As Gandhi approached, he reportedly targeted his former party colleague, referring to Bittu as his “traitor friend” in a clear jab at his 2024 defection from the Congress to the BJP.Bittu reacted sharply, refusing to shake Gandhi’s extended hand and retorting by calling him an “enemy of the nation” (desh ke dushman). In the ensuing heated debate, Bittu accused Gandhi of aligning with anti-national forces abroad and brought up historical grievances, including the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the role of the Gandhi family in Punjab’s past turmoil. Following the spat, Bittu held a press conference where he alleged that Gandhi’s remarks were an insult to his family’s sacrifice and claimed that the Congress leader’s “ego” prevented him from accepting democratic transitions. This incident has further solidified the bitter rivalry between the two leaders, marking a complete breakdown of their former political friendship.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ques : 1. Who is Ravneet Singh Bittu and what is his current role ?

Ans : Ravneet Singh Bittu is a senior Indian politician serving as the Minister of State for Railways and Minister of State for Food Processing Industries. Though he lost his seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he was appointed to the Union Cabinet and currently represents Rajasthan as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha.

Ques : 2. Why did Ravneet Singh Bittu leave the Congress party for the BJP ?

Ans : In March 2024, Bittu shifted to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after spending over two decades with the Congress. He stated that his primary motivation was the development of Punjab, arguing that the state needed to align with the Central Government to solve its economic and security challenges.

Ques : 3. What is his family’s political background ?

Ams : He is the grandson of the late Beant Singh, the former Chief Minister of Punjab who was assassinated in 1995. This family legacy has made him a staunch advocate against radicalism and separatism, as his political identity is built on his grandfather’s role in restoring peace to Punjab during the militancy era.

Ques : 4. What happened during his recent face-off with Rahul Gandhi ?

Ans : On February 4, 2026, a heated exchange occurred outside Parliament. Rahul Gandhi reportedly called Bittu a “traitor friend” for defecting to the BJP. Bittu responded by refusing to shake hands and calling Gandhi an “enemy of the nation,” later citing the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as a point of contention.

Ques : 5. What is Bittu’s stance on national security ?

Ams : Bittu is a hardliner on national security, particularly regarding pro-Khalistan elements. Due to his vocal opposition to extremist groups, he has faced numerous threats and is currently protected by Z-category security provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs.