‘Chhath Famous Across World, But Congress Insulting it’: PM Modi Targets Mahagathbandhan In Bihar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), accusing them of disrespecting Chhathi Maiya, a deity deeply revered across Bihar and eastern India. Addressing a rally in Bihar, Modi contrasted his government’s efforts to promote the state’s cultural traditions globally with what he called the Opposition’s “insult to faith.”
“You’ve seen that your son, Modi, is devoted to spreading the glory of Chhathi Maiya across the world. But on the other hand, what are these Congress and RJD people doing? They are insulting Chhathi Maiya,” the Prime Minister said.
Challenging the opposition directly, Modi asked, “Tell me, can anyone insult Chhathi Maiya just to gain votes in an election? Will Bihar tolerate such an insult? Will our mothers, who observe the sacred nirjala upvaas, accept such disrespect? Will you punish them or not?” His remarks came amid an escalating political row in Bihar after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s comments were criticised by BJP leaders as “an insult to Chhath Maiya and her devotees.”
Continuing his attack, Modi said the opposition parties “mock the devotion of women who perform rituals with deep faith and sacrifice.” “The Congress and RJD people think that the mothers and sisters who stand in water to offer prayers to the Sun God are just doing drama,” he said.
Warning that such remarks would have lasting consequences, Modi added, “For hundreds and hundreds of years, no one will forget this insult to Chhathi Maiya. This is Bihar—the land of pride and self-respect. Those who have disrespected the Chhath Puja will never be forgiven by the people of Bihar.”
Taking a final swipe at the RJD, the Prime Minister said, “I want to describe their story in five words — gun, brutality, bitterness, misrule, and corruption. Isn’t this the identity of jungle raj? Isn’t this the identity of RJD and its allies?”
Continuing his attack on the Opposition, PM Modi accused the Congress and the RJD of spreading division and hindering progress in Bihar.
“Where there are the RJD and Congress, which spread bitterness, harmony in society becomes difficult. Where there is the misrule of RJD and Congress, there is no trace of development. Where there is corruption, there social justice is not achieved. The rights of the poor are looted; only a few families flourish. Such people can never do good for Bihar,” Modi said.
