Bihar Bandh: BJP, NDA Protest Against Abusive Remarks on PM Modi’s Late Mother; Essential Services Unaffected

Patna: Bihar witnessed political tension on Thursday as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enforced a five-hour bandh in protest against derogatory remarks made about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late mother during a Mahagathbandhan event in Darbhanga last week.

The bandh, observed between 7 am and 12 noon, saw BJP workers staging protests in Gaya, Danapur, and several other districts. Party leaders clarified that essential services, including hospitals, emergency facilities, and rail operations, would not be disrupted. The BJP Mahila Morcha (women’s wing) took the lead in the demonstrations, symbolising what the party called “an insult to all mothers.”

BJP’s Bihar state president, Dilip Jaiswal, said the shutdown was a response to the “politically and morally unacceptable language” used against the Prime Minister’s mother.

Janata Dal (United) leader Umesh Kushwaha echoed the outrage: “During the opposition’s rally in Darbhanga, abusive words were used against Prime Minister Modi and his mother. This is wrong, both morally and politically. The arrogance of the Mahagathbandhan leaders is clear as they have not apologised. They have insulted our mothers and sisters, and now we will retaliate.”

Meanwhile, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav sought to turn the debate back on the Prime Minister. In a sharp post on X, he wrote: “A mother is a mother. No one should ever use abusive words against anyone’s mother. But when PM Modi calls someone’s mother a ‘50-crore girlfriend,’ or refers to the wife of a former PM as a ‘Jersey cow,’ what should we call that? Hypocrisy or double standards?”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself addressed the controversy during a public event earlier this week, condemning the remarks:

“My mother, who has nothing to do with politics, was abused from the stage of the RJD and Congress. This is not just an insult to my mother; it is an insult to all mothers, sisters, and daughters of this nation.”

He added emotionally that his mother had sacrificed her time with him so he could serve India: “I can only imagine the pain our mothers and sisters must have felt. It is deeply sad and hurtful.”