Congress insults all mothers, must apologize to Chhath Maiya: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the Opposition, specifically the RJD and Congress, accusing them of targeting his late mother from a joint political platform in Bihar. Speaking at a public event, Modi expressed his pain and indignation, stating that the alleged abuses hurled at his mother were not merely a personal insult but an affront to the dignity of women across the country. Tearing into the opposition, PM Modi said that they must apologize to Chhath Maiya.

The Prime Minister's comments came in reference to a viral video from the "Voter Adhikar Yatra" in Darbhanga, where some individuals were purportedly heard using offensive language against him and his mother from a stage shared by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. The authenticity of the video has been debated, but the BJP has been a vocal critic, alleging that the incident shows the lowest level of political discourse.

Addressing the crowd, a visibly emotional Modi said, "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 stated that the people of Bihar shared his pain and that such behavior was a stain on the state's culture. He pointed out that his mother had no connection with politics, questioning why she was dragged into the partisan attacks.

Modi used the platform to position the incident as an insult to the "mothers, sisters, and daughters of the country." By doing so, he broadened the scope of the controversy from a political skirmish to a matter of national honor and respect for women. He also implied that the Opposition's frustration at his political success has led them to stoop to such personal attacks.

The Prime Minister’s remarks were made during the launch of a new cooperative initiative in Bihar aimed at strengthening women’s entrepreneurship and self-reliance. This provided a stark contrast between his focus on women's empowerment and what he described as the Opposition's disrespect towards women. The new programme is designed to promote entrepreneurial skills among rural women associated with self-help groups (SHGs), a key focus area of his government.