Daijiworld Media Network- Patna

Patna, Sep 4: Political temperatures soared in Bihar on Wednesday as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) enforced a five-hour bandh across the state, protesting alleged derogatory remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother during a Mahagathbandhan rally in Darbhanga last week.

The bandh, which began at 7 am and continued till 12 noon, saw BJP workers taking to the streets in Patna and other districts, staging demonstrations and road blockades. Schools, colleges, coaching centres, government offices and several private establishments remained closed, while intercity bus services were suspended in many districts, causing inconvenience to commuters. Roads in several parts of the state witnessed traffic snarls due to chakka jams staged by protesters.

BJP’s Bihar state president Dilip Jaiswal said that the agitation, led prominently by the BJP Mahila Morcha, was a mark of protest against the “insult to mothers and women of the country”. He clarified that essential services including hospitals, ambulance services, medical shops, grocery stores, vegetable vendors and petrol pumps remained functional, and that rail operations were not disrupted.

Janata Dal (United) leader Umesh Kushwaha also strongly condemned the remarks. “During the opposition’s rally, abusive words were used against Prime Minister Modi and his mother. This is unacceptable, both morally and politically. Yet, Mahagathbandhan leaders have refused to apologise, reflecting their arrogance,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi himself had responded to the controversy during a rally on Tuesday, indirectly targeting Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav by describing them as “naamdaar leaders born with a silver spoon”. He said, “The struggles of a poor mother, the suffering of her son – these young princes born into royal families cannot understand. They consider the power of the nation and Bihar their family inheritance.”

The bandh comes amid intensifying political hostilities in Bihar. Police said a 25-year-old accused has been arrested in connection with the remarks, even as the Congress-led INDIA bloc distanced itself, stating he had no links with any of its constituent parties.