Patna

Women workers of the NDA in Bihar enforced a five-hour bandh on Thursday, protesting alleged abusive remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late mother during the Congress’ recent ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra.’ The bandh, which began at 7 am, was supported by the women’s wings of BJP, JD(U) and other alliance partners, with protests reported in Patna and several districts.

In Patna, protesters staged demonstrations at key locations, including the Income Tax roundabout, where they raised slogans and carried placards condemning the Congress and RJD. Senior BJP leaders, including state ministers, MPs Ravi Shankar Prasad and Dharmshila Gupta, and Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal, joined a sit-in outside the party’s state office.

Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters that Bihar would not tolerate such an insult to Modi’s late mother, criticising the Congress for not issuing an apology. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary wrote on X that the remark was an affront to every mother in the country and that the protest was a stand for dignity and respect.

Police deployed heavy security across Patna and other parts of the state, including Darbhanga, Nawada, Muzaffarpur and Katihar, to maintain order. The controversy stems from a viral video showing a man shouting an expletive at a Congress event in Darbhanga. The accused, a 25-year-old resident, has since been arrested.

On September 2, PM Modi reacted emotionally, saying his mother had no role in politics and questioning why she was abused. He added that while he may personally forgive Congress and RJD leaders, the people of Bihar would never pardon the insult.