“RJD and Congress Keep Baba Saheb at Their Feet, I Keep Him in My Heart”: PM Modi Slams Lalu Over Dalit Icon Insult in Siwan Rally

Siwan: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and its chief Lalu Prasad Yadav, following outrage over a viral image allegedly showing a portrait of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar placed near someone’s feet at an RJD event. Addressing a large public gathering in Jasauli, Siwan district, Modi accused RJD and Congress of disrespecting the legacy of Baba Saheb Ambedkar and undermining the dignity of Dalits and backward communities.

“RJD and Congress keep Baba Saheb at their feet, I keep him in my heart,” Prime Minister Modi declared, drawing loud applause from the crowd. Though he refrained from naming Lalu Prasad directly, his remarks left no ambiguity about the target of his criticism.

Modi added, “The entire country has seen what type of behaviour RJD has shown toward the portrait of Ambedkar. Posters have been put up demanding an apology, but I know they will never apologise. They have no respect for Dalits and the extremely backward class. By insulting Ambedkar, they want to show they are bigger than him in stature.”

Raising the issue of dynastic politics, the Prime Minister said, “I emphasise ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’, but for RJD and Congress, it is only ‘Parivar Ka Saath, Parivar Ka Vikas’. Their politics is limited to family interests, even if it comes at the cost of crores of Indian families, including those in Bihar.”

He further claimed that both parties had a long-standing attitude of being “anti-Bihar and anti-investment”, hampering the state’s growth prospects in the past.

As part of his visit, PM Modi also launched and laid foundation stones for multiple development projects aimed at boosting infrastructure and connectivity in Bihar. He commended Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for enabling rapid development in the state and reviving its historical pride.

“Thanks to Nitish ji’s leadership, Bihar now has a launch pad for speedy growth. The state’s glorious past will soon be restored,” Modi asserted.

The incident involving the alleged insult to Ambedkar’s portrait has already triggered political outrage across Bihar, with opposition leaders accusing the BJP of politicizing the issue, while Dalit groups and civil society organizations have demanded a public apology from RJD leadership.