PM Modi emotional over insult to late mother, calls it attack on India’s women; NDA announces Bihar bandh

At a women’s empowerment event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares grief over abusive remarks made at Rahul Gandhi’s rally, transfers Rs 105 crore to Bihar’s Jeevika cooperative as state BJP chief and women in audience tear up.

Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday broke down while addressing a gathering in Bihar, condemning derogatory remarks made against his late mother during an opposition rally. Speaking virtually at the launch of the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited—a cooperative aimed at empowering women’s self-help groups (SHGs)—Modi termed the insult not just a personal attack but a disrespect to all mothers, sisters, and daughters of India. His 36-minute speech, laden with emotion, moved Bihar BJP president Dilip Jaiswal to tears and brought several women in the audience to weep.

“The pain in my heart is shared by the people of Bihar. I am sharing my sorrow with you so I can endure this agony,” Modi said, his voice trembling as he recalled his humble roots and his mother’s role in his life of public service. He noted that his mother, Heeraben Modi, who passed away in December 2022, had freed him from familial obligations to serve the nation. “I come from a poor family. Every day, every moment, I have worked for my country and its people. My mother’s blessings played a huge role in this. The mother who gave me birth released me from my responsibilities,” he said.

Modi framed the abusive remarks as an affront to women nationwide, stating, “These abuses are not just an insult to my mother. This is an insult to the mothers, sisters, and daughters of the country.”

Invoking Bihar’s cultural ethos, he added, “A mother’s place is above gods and goddesses. In Bihar’s traditions, ‘Mai’ (mother) is held higher than any deity. No life can be built without a mother.” He took a dig at opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, calling them “yuvraj” (princes) born into “shahi khandan” (royal families) with silver spoons, incapable of grasping the pain of ordinary people.

The emotional address coincided with the transfer of Rs 105 crore to the cooperative’s bank account, part of a Rs 1,000 crore allocation by the Bihar government to bolster Jeevika-linked SHGs. Modi praised the initiative as a “very auspicious work” that would enable over 20 lakh women to access credit digitally, fostering rural enterprises and self-reliance. “Women empowerment is India’s development,” he said, lauding the NDA government’s efforts in Bihar.

Background of the controversy

The incident traces back to August 27, 2025, when abusive language was allegedly used against PM Modi and his late mother during Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra in Darbhanga. The yatra, part of the Congress-RJD-led Mahagathbandhan’s campaign for voter rights, caste census, and reservation ahead of possible Bihar assembly elections, saw a speaker hurl slurs, including calling Modi’s mother a “poisonous snake” and other derogatory terms, sparking outrage. The accused was arrested, but the episode led to clashes between BJP and Congress workers in Patna, Muzaffarpur, and Ara, with protests outside Congress offices escalating into lathi charges and stone-pelting.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi, slamming the yatra as a “Save Infiltrators Yatra” and accusing the opposition of resorting to personal attacks. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, an NDA ally, also condemned the “indecent language” as unacceptable in politics. Modi, addressing the issue after seven days, said, “My mother, whose body is no longer here, who had nothing to do with politics—these people are getting abuses hurled at her from their stage.” He urged Bihar’s people, especially its sons, to hold the opposition accountable, referencing upcoming festivals like Navratri and Chhath Puja. “India’s soil has never tolerated the insult of a mother. I tell the people of Bihar, making up for this insult is the responsibility of every son here. Wherever RJD and Congress leaders go, voices should rise from every corner,” he said.

NDA calls for Bihar bandh

In response, the NDA announced a statewide bandh on September 4, 2025, to protest the remarks. Bihar BJP chief Dilip Jaiswal, visibly emotional during Modi’s speech, confirmed that roads and shops would remain closed, though railways and emergency services like healthcare would function normally. The BJP’s Mahila Morcha will lead the protests, framing the bandh as a stand against a “blot on democracy” and an insult to Bihar’s women. All NDA allies, including JD(U), have backed the shutdown. Jaiswal said, “The way Mahagathbandhan leaders have insulted a mother from the open stage is unacceptable. The women of Bihar will not forgive this.” Modi added, “I may forgive, but the people of Bihar and Bharat won’t pardon them for insulting my mother.”

Women’s empowerment in focus

The event highlighted the Jeevika program, a cornerstone of Bihar’s rural development since 2006 under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Officially the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS), Jeevika supports poverty alleviation through SHGs, offering microfinance, skill training, and market linkages to rural women. Initiated with World Bank support, it has empowered over 1 crore women via more than 10 lakh SHGs, emphasizing financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.

Nitish Kumar, speaking before Modi, underscored his government’s focus on women. “When our government came to power on November 24, 2005, we prioritized women’s work. Previous regimes did nothing. We gave 35% reservation to women in police in 2013 and started SHGs in 2006,” he said. Recent initiatives like the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana provide Rs 10,000 initial aid and up to Rs 2 lakh for women entrepreneurs, with pensions increased to Rs 1,100 for 1.12 crore beneficiaries.

Political implications

The controversy and Modi’s response signal escalating tensions in Bihar, a crucial state with 40 Lok Sabha seats where the NDA holds power but faces a strong RJD-Congress challenge. Modi revived accusations of criminal patronage under past RJD rule, contrasting it with the NDA’s focus on development and women’s safety. With elections on the horizon, the issue could polarize voters around themes of respect for women and personal dignity, with the bandh testing public sentiment. The opposition has not issued a formal apology, though sources suggest internal deliberations amid the backlash.