In an emotionally charged statement that has added fuel to an already intense political climate in Bihar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at the Congress-RJD alliance after derogatory remarks were allegedly made against his late mother during an opposition rally. Modi, speaking via video conference while launching a women-centric cooperative finance initiative in Bihar, said the abuse “crossed all limits of decency and humanity.”

The Prime Minister was referring to a widely circulated video clip from a Congress-RJD-Left rally in Darbhanga, where a man from the audience, allegedly encouraged by the crowd, hurled shocking abuses against Modi’s late mother. The clip, which went viral, sparked immediate condemnation from BJP leaders and supporters, while the opposition scrambled to distance itself from the individual involved.

“This incident has left me in deep pain,” Modi said, visibly emotional. “My mother was a simple woman who dedicated her life to her family and to values. She had no role in politics. Yet from the Congress and RJD stage, she was abused in the vilest language. This is not just an attack on my mother — it’s a reflection of how low our politics has fallen.”

He further stated that such language against women, especially from political stages, not only defames the individuals being targeted but degrades the very foundation of public discourse in a democracy.

“I’m ready to tolerate attacks on myself. I’ve faced them all my life. But abusing a mother who is no longer alive — what kind of politics is this?” Modi asked, adding, “This shows the mindset of those who claim to fight for the poor and the oppressed.”

The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to highlight the dignity and sacrifices of his late mother, Heeraben Modi, who passed away in December 2022 at the age of 100. “She never wanted anything for herself. She didn’t wear new clothes, didn’t eat special food. Every paisa she had, she saved for the family. And now, such a mother is being insulted publicly? The people of Bihar will not forgive this,” Modi said.

The remarks have sparked outrage among BJP leaders and supporters, particularly in Bihar. The NDA has called for a half-day bandh on September 4, protesting against what it calls the “moral collapse” of opposition politics. The bandh is expected to be largely symbolic, with essential services exempted, and women-led protests planned in various districts.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J.P. Nadda, and several NDA Chief Ministers voiced support for Modi, calling the incident “unprecedented and unacceptable.”

Opposition parties have offered varied responses. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed the man in the video was not a party member and may have been “planted” to malign the alliance’s ongoing Voter Adhikar Yatra. RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, under pressure to respond, condemned any personal attacks but stopped short of issuing a formal apology.

However, RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari accused Modi of using his mother’s name to score political points. “When Rahul Gandhi’s mother is attacked, he doesn’t play the victim card. Modi is doing drama for sympathy,” he said.

Political analysts say the incident could significantly impact the Bihar campaign narrative. With women’s empowerment already a central theme in Modi’s recent speeches, the emotional charge of the incident is likely to resonate strongly with rural women — a key voting bloc in the state.

“This is no longer just about an insult,” said political analyst Sanjay Kumar. “It has become a symbol of the cultural and political clash between Modi’s grassroots narrative and the opposition’s attempt to revive a coalition in Bihar. This incident could backfire badly for the Congress-RJD alliance if not handled carefully.”

Modi concluded his speech by appealing to the women of Bihar: “You’ve stood up against injustice before. I trust that you will once again raise your voices — not for me, but for the dignity of all mothers, all women.”

The campaign in Bihar is expected to heat up further in the coming days, with both sides looking to control the narrative as public sentiment hangs in delicate balance.