PM Modi Turns Emotional Over Mother’s Abuse: Opposition Accused of Political Vulgarity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a rare emotional turn during a public address on September 2, sharply condemning the Congress-RJD alliance for what he called a “shameful and vulgar” political low — the verbal abuse of his late mother during a political rally in Bihar.

The incident occurred during the “Voter Adhikar Yatra” held in Darbhanga, where a person from the crowd — allegedly encouraged by the surrounding atmosphere — hurled deeply offensive language aimed at Modi’s mother. A video of the abuse quickly spread across social media, sparking massive outrage among the BJP and its supporters.

Without naming individuals, Modi made his anger known while addressing a virtual gathering for the launch of a new cooperative initiative benefiting over one crore rural women in Bihar.

“My mother — a pious woman who spent her life in devotion and selflessness — was insulted from the very stage where leaders of the Congress and RJD were present. Those who claim to fight for the poor and backward stood by silently as such filth was thrown at a mother,” Modi said.

He continued, “Those who insult my mother can never respect any woman in this country. They believe women are weak and can be used as tools in political fights. But Bihar’s women — they are strong, they are alert, and they will not stay silent.”

The Prime Minister linked the episode to a larger cultural issue, accusing the opposition of normalizing public vulgarity. “This is the same mindset that once insulted Dalit women, tribal women, and now even the mother of a Prime Minister. It is not about me — it is about every mother in every household,” he declared.

BJP leaders quickly mobilized, announcing a Bihar-wide bandh on September 4 as a form of protest. The party’s Bihar leadership — including Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and senior minister Vijay Kumar Sinha — called on citizens to observe a peaceful shutdown. “We will not let this vulgarity define Bihar politics,” they said in a joint press briefing.

However, the opposition has pushed back. Congress termed the reaction as “political theatre,” suggesting the BJP is using the incident to divert attention from real issues like unemployment and price rise. “It’s unfortunate if any individual said such things, but this is not the doing of Congress or RJD,” said Congress’s Shaktisinh Gohil.

Tejashwi Yadav, former Bihar Deputy CM, accused the BJP of politicizing grief. “Modi ji should not use his personal pain to stir up emotional votes. We all have families. Let’s not make elections a drama,” he said.

Still, for many citizens watching Modi’s emotional response, the moment struck a chord. Social media was flooded with messages of solidarity, especially from women’s groups and first-time voters who felt the Prime Minister’s pain was genuine and justified.

“She was not just his mother,” tweeted one user. “She was a symbol of countless mothers who work silently behind the scenes.”

Political observers note that this moment — while intensely personal — may prove politically powerful. Modi’s ability to frame a personal insult as a national issue of women’s dignity adds a new dimension to the Bihar elections, especially as women make up nearly 47% of the state’s electorate.

Whether this emotional appeal will translate into electoral advantage remains to be seen. But what’s clear is that political lines have now blurred into personal territory — and Bihar’s campaign season is more volatile than ever.