PATNA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep pain over the abuse hurled at his mother during the Congress’ recent ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar. He asserted that while he may personally forgive the RJD and Congress, the people of the state would never do so.
Addressing the controversy for the first time, Modi criticized opposition parties, saying that using expletives against his mother was trivial for those who insult the nation itself, and that such acts should be punished.
“My late mother had nothing to do with politics. What was her fault? Why was she abused?” he asked.
Modi made the remarks while addressing a gathering in Delhi and virtually inaugurating a new cooperative for women associated with self-help groups in Bihar.
“Bihar is the land of Maa Janki. It has always respected women. This is the land where Chhath Puja is celebrated. Yet my mother was abused from the dais of the RJD and Congress. I had never imagined such a thing would happen. It was an insult to the mothers and daughters of Bihar. The people of the state will never forgive them,” he said.
“I am my mother’s son, and I am sharing my pain with you,” he added.
The Prime Minister highlighted his long-standing efforts for women’s welfare, recalling the sacrifices of his mother. “She never bought a saree for herself, saving money for us. The position of a mother is greater than that of God,” he said.
Modi condemned the mindset behind such abuse, saying it reflects a view of women as weak and exploitative. “Whenever people with an anti-women mentality came to power, mothers, daughters, and sisters suffered the most. This was evident during the RJD’s ‘mafia raj’,” he said.
He accused the RJD of rampant crime during its tenure, including murder, extortion, and rape, claiming the party protected perpetrators while women bore the brunt. “Now, the regional party seeks revenge on women,” Modi alleged.
Turning to Congress, he said the party could not tolerate people from backward communities rising to power, which fuels such abuses.
“I may forgive them, but the people of Bihar will never pardon them for insulting my mother. Citizens must ensure that these leaders are held accountable,” he said.
Modi urged the public to demand answers from RJD and Congress leaders, emphasizing: “In every street and neighbourhood, one voice should be heard – we will not tolerate insult to a mother, nor RJD’s tyranny or Congress’ attacks.”
Assembly elections in Bihar are scheduled later this year.
