Bittu Says He Was ‘Almost Lynched,’ Seeks Probe into Gandhi Role

February 17, 2026

Ludhiana, Feb 17 — Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu on Tuesday claimed he was “almost lynched” during a 2020–21 farmers’ protest and has sought a formal investigation into the role played by Priyanka Gandhi in sending him to the protest site. Bittu, who was then with the Congress before joining the BJP, made the statement in an exclusive interview with The Tribune.

Bittu alleged that the protest became hostile toward him and fellow Congress MLA Kulbir Zira. He has now decided to file an official complaint seeking a probe to determine whether there were a “plan and design” behind the circumstances that put him at risk. “I would like it to be probed what the intention was… we were almost lynched,” Bittu told reporters.

Context of the Farmers’ Protests

The farmers’ protest movement began in 2020 after three agricultural laws were passed by Parliament, sparking prolonged demonstrations, especially at border points around Delhi. The agitation continued into 2021 before the laws were repealed, and the protests involved massive participation from farmers demanding guaranteed Minimum Support Prices (MSPs), legal protections and other concessions.

During this period, many political leaders including Priyanka Gandhi engaged with protesting farmers at the borders, lending public support to their cause. The protests were largely peaceful but occasionally witnessed clashes and heightened tensions between agitating farmers and law enforcement agencies.

Bittu’s contention now is that the circumstances under which he was sent to interact with the protesters might have exposed him to unnecessary danger, and therefore merit scrutiny.

Political Row with Opposition

The allegations have added fuel to an already heated political environment. Bittu also criticised Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, over remarks made against him earlier this month. He challenged Rahul Gandhi’s use of the term “traitor” and said such language was unbecoming of a parliamentary leader.

Bittu’s accusation reflects broader political tensions between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress Party, with both sides frequently engaging in verbal sparring over past events connected to the farmer agitation and related issues.

Local and National Reaction

While Bittu has not yet formally filed his complaint, his statement immediately sparked reactions from political circles, with some leaders supporting his call for a probe and others dismissing it as politically motivated. No official response has been issued yet by Priyanka Gandhi or the Congress leadership regarding the demand for investigation into her role.

As the story unfolds, it is expected to feature in both national debates on the 2020–21 protests and ongoing partisan disputes as the general elections approach.