New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the Rajya Sabha during the Motion of Thanks debate on Thursday, hit back at Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi over his “traitor” remark directed at a BJP MP Ravneet Singh Bittu. Modi said the comment reflected both his and the Congress party’s animosity towards the Sikh community.

The confrontation occurred outside Parliament on Wednesday, where suspended Congress MPs were staging a protest. As Gandhi passed by, he pointed towards Bittu—who defected from Congress to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2024—remarking, “Here is a traitor walking right by. Look at the face.” Bittu refused the gesture and retorted by calling Gandhi “Desh ke dushman” (enemy of the state).

Earlier on Thursday, PM Modi remarked in the Rajya Sabha that the Opposition would eventually have to answer for its past actions, adding that much of his own energy had been devoted to correcting the mistakes made by Congress-led governments. 

Earlier, the PM began his address amid loud Opposition sloganeering. PM Modi mocked Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, remarking that he could continue raising slogans while seated.Opposition members later staged a walkout of the session.

Further, the PM said the world is increasingly confident of stability in India following its recent trade agreements with the European Union and the United States.

Referring to the shifting global landscape, Modi remarked that the new world order is inclined towards India, with several countries actively seeking trade partnerships. In a sharp swipe at the Opposition, he said they would one day have to explain why no country had come forward to strike trade deals with India in the past.

He recalled that the President of India, in her address to the joint sitting of Parliament, had expressed confidence in the nation’s bright future. Echoing that sentiment, Modi declared that India must neither look back nor pause, but continue moving forward to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the second quarter of the century would be equally powerful in shaping India’s journey towards development. He pointed to the country’s current economic trajectory, noting that India is witnessing high growth alongside low inflation, a sign of resilience and strength.

“From being counted among the ‘fragile five’, India is now moving rapidly towards becoming the world’s third-largest economy,” Modi said. He added that India has emerged as a strong voice of the Global South and is signing future-ready trade deals, including what he described as the “mother of all deals” with the 27-nation European Union.

The PM’s address came a day after proceedings in the Lok Sabha were adjourned following opposition protests, prior to his scheduled speech.