New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday strongly condemned the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for “abusive” slogans targeting his late mother during a recent political event in Bihar, framing the incident as an insult to all women of the nation. Addressing approximately 20 lakh women via video conference, an emotional Modi stated, “My mother was abused from the stage of RJD-Congress… These abuses are not just an insult to my mother. These are insults to the mothers, sisters, and daughters of the country”.
The controversy began after a video went viral showing a man allegedly shouting offensive slogans against the Prime Minister and his mother from a stage set up for Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Vote Adhikar Yatra’ in Darbhanga. The rally was a joint effort by the RJD and Congress ahead of the Bihar assembly elections, scheduled for later this year, though a formal poll schedule has not yet been announced by the Election Commission.
Also read: Voter Adhikar Yatra : BJP Hits Out At Rahul Gandhi For His ‘Vote Chori Hydrogen Bomb’ Remark
During his address, which was for the launch of the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited, PM Modi spoke of the deep pain the incident caused him and the people of Bihar. “Maa hi toh humara sansar hoti hain. Maa hi humara swabhiman hoti hain (Mother is our world. Mother is our self-respect). I had not even imagined what happened a few days ago in this tradition-rich Bihar,” he said, his voice charged with emotion.
Also read: Delhi Riots ‘larger Conspiracy’ case: Delhi High Court Refuses bail to accused Tasleem Ahmed
Taking aim at his political rivals, Modi contrasted his own background with that of Rahul Gandhi, suggesting the Congress leader was born with a “silver spoon” in a royal family and could not comprehend such pain. He further accused the opposition of fostering an “anti-women mindset” that views women as weak and objects of exploitation. He linked this mentality to the RJD’s past governance in Bihar, which he described as an era when crime was rampant and the government protected perpetrators of violence against women.