New Delhi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a deeply emotional appeal during the launch of the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited via video call from Delhi. He addressed a rising controversy in Bihar, where derogatory slurs were allegedly directed at his late mother from the platform of an RJD-Congress event, saying the incident left him and many Indian women deeply pained. He stated that while he might forgive the parties involved, the women of Bihar “will never pardon them.”
A deeply personal affront
Modi emphasized the personal nature of the attack, noting that his mother, Heeraben, had no involvement in politics and had passed away peacefully at the age of 100. Yet, remarks from the opposition’s rally in Bihar turned her memory into a political tool. He expressed that the abuse felt like a blow to the dignity of all mothers, sisters, and daughters across India. Many listeners, including women participants, were visibly moved by his words.
Cultural insult and political criticism
The Prime Minister framed the incident as more than a personal slight—it was an affront to cultural traditions. In Bihar, reverence for maternal figures such as Ganga Maiya and Chhathi Maiya is deeply rooted. Modi invoked this ethos, arguing that the opposition’s disrespect was fundamentally unpardonable. He also contended that those born into political privilege fail to grasp the struggles of underprivileged mothers, positioning himself as a beneficiary of maternal sacrifice. He accused the RJD of harboring misogynistic tendencies and blamed historical anti-women stances for their political setbacks, particularly as women voted against them in previous elections.
The broader political fallout
The video of the incident went viral and triggered widespread outrage. The BJP immediately condemned it as “a new low in politics.” FIRs were filed against Rahul Gandhi, and a candle march protest was held by BJP supporters in Patna. Opposition leaders, however, distanced themselves, asserting they were not present on the stage at that moment and suggesting that BJP sympathizers could have instigated the incident. The episode has since become a flashpoint in the Bihar political landscape, intensifying tensions between the ruling and opposition camps.