Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed anguish over remarks made against his late mother at a political event in Bihar, saying the insult, not only directed at her but at all mothers of the country.
Condemning what he called ‘gaali politics’ and the declining standards of political discourse in election-bound Bihar, PM Modi said expletives had been hurled at his mother, who had passed away, during a Congress-RJD rally.
He told a gathering of women in Bihar, via video conferencing, that the incident had left him deeply hurt.
“As a son, it is a very painful moment for me. I never imagined such a level of politics,” PM Modi stated.
Taking sharp aim at Congress and the RJD, the Prime Minister said the abuse went beyond his mother and amounted to humiliation of all mothers in India, adding that the people of Bihar would not forgive such language.
Naamdar vs Kaamdar Contrast
PM Modi also drew on the contrast between ‘naamdar’ (those from privileged families) and ‘kaamdar’ (those who achieve through hard work), accusing the Opposition of arrogance and of looking down on people from modest backgrounds.
“Those born in privileged families will never understand the pain and suffering that our mothers go through in raising their children; they can never comprehend what sacrifices our mothers make throughout their lives,” PM Modi asserted.
The Prime Minister further criticised the use of ‘tu-tadak’ expressions on the campaign trail, referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks during the Voter Adhikar Yatra, and said such language reflected an anti-women mindset.
He urged the youth of Bihar, both men and women, to demand accountability from political parties that fail to respect women or recognise their contribution.
“I may forgive you for such brazen insult, but this land of Bihar will never forgive those who hurl abuse at our mothers,” the Prime Minister noted.
