'She had nothing to do with politics': Modi slams RJD, Cong over mother’s insult; women voters in focus

PATNA: Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Tuesday hit back at the RJD and Congress, saying the people of Bihar and the country must hold them accountable for humiliating "matri shakti" by using indecent language against his late mother.

"Har gali mohalla se aawaaz aani chahiye: Maa ka apman.., RJD ka atyachar … ijjat par vaar nahin sahenge (every street and locality must raise its voice: mother's humiliation, RJD's atrocities. We will not tolerate an assault on dignity)," he said emotionally, while addressing around 20 lakh women across the state through videoconference at the launch of Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Credit Cooperative Federation Limited.


Referring to the abusive language used for his mother in Darbhanga during the Congress-RJD ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra' on Aug 27, Modi targeted leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for addressing him with "tu-tadak". He said those born in a "shahi khandan" with a silver spoon could not understand a mother's struggles in raising children. "It's easy for them to abuse Modi's mother, who question even the identity of Bharat Mata. They cannot tolerate a person from backward or extremely backward class running the govt. The prince thinks only the namdaar has the right to rule. Their arrogance bursts into verbal abuse when a kamdaar occupies the chair," he said in an oblique reference to Rahul Gandhi and RJD chief Lalu Prasad's son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.

With assembly elections due in Oct-Nov, Modi sought the blessings of nari-shakti for the NDA govt. He alleged that the RJD opposed women's reservation, resisted their progress and insulted women leaders, including President Droupadi Murmu. "During the RJD rule in Bihar, women worried about the safe return of their husbands and sons because the govt then patronised criminals, rapists and murderers," he added.

The PM accused RJD and Congress of repeatedly abusing him. "They called me a drain worm and a poisonous snake. But I could never imagine what happened a few days ago in Bihar where Maai ke sthan, Devta Pitar se bhi upar hola," he said, stressing that his late mother, who had nothing to do with politics, had been dragged into abuse.

"This is an insult to the mothers, sisters and daughters of the country. Today, when I see the women of Bihar in such large numbers, I share my sorrow with you. With your blessings, I may bear this pain," he said.

RJD spokesman Shakti Singh Yadav said, "The NDA is worried by the success of the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar. The PM should not level false allegations on RJD and Congress. We always respect women and none of our leaders was on the Darbhanga stage where the incident took place."