I may forgive, Bihar won’t: PM Modi slams RJD, Congress for targeting mother

Days after some youngsters were caught on video abusing his late mother from the campaign stage of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he might still forgive the opposition leaders, but the people of Bihar and India would not.

An emotional PM, in a virtual address during the launch of the cooperative — Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh — urged the people of the state to hold those using derogatory language accountable for their behaviour.

“In Bihar, vile invectives were hurled at my late mother from the stage of RJD and Congress. This was not just an insult of my mother, but an insult of every mother, sister and daughter in the country. It is traumatic and distressing. I know you are as pained at this as I am...My mother is not even alive. She passed away after turning 100 and never had anything to do with politics...and yet she was abused,” said Modi, a day after Congress’ Rahul Gandhi and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav wound up their ‘Voter Adhikar’ rally against the ongoing special intensive revision of electoral rolls in the state.

The Opposition has made alleged dilution of Bihar voter lists as their principal poll plank against the ruling BJP-JDU combine in the state.

RJD leaders hit back at Modi

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RJD leader Mrityunjay Tiwari hit back at the PM, saying, “There should be no politics in the name of one’s mother. Why does he remain silent when Rahul Gandhi’s mother is abused?” RJD’s Rohini Acharya added, “Yes, the PM is right. No one has the right to abuse anyone’s mother or sister. But the same applies to him as well, when he spoke negatively about Sonia. The PM has not apologised for that.”

Recalling his humble beginnings, Modi said he had always strived to do his best for the country in whatever capacity and manner he could. He saluted Heeraben Modi for permitting him to relinquish filial responsibilities in the service of the nation and said his mother “like crores of other poor mothers in the country brought up her children in poverty and would never buy even a saree for herself”.

“My mother would be sick and yet she would work. She would save up every penny for us and get clothes made....How can royal dynasts grasp the depth of struggles of a poor mother and her son? They were born with silver spoons and consider political power in Bihar and the country their personal inheritance. But the country elected a humble man like me as PM and this they are unable to digest,” Modi said, in veiled jibes at Rahul and Tejashwi.

Seeking to connect with voters at a personal level, Modi urged them to hold Congress and RJD leaders accountable for their conduct.

“Everywhere they come, only one voice should resonate — RJD ka atyachaar, Congress ka vaar nahi sahenge (we won’t tolerate RJD’s atrocities and Congress’ slangs),” he said.

As he made the Bihar fight personal, Modi went on to invoke upcoming festivals of Navratri and Chhat — both dedications to Goddesses — and said Congress and RJD leaders must apologise to Goddess Mothers.

“To those who abused my mother before the people of Bihar — Modi may still forgive them, but the land of Bihar and of India has never condoned insults to a mother,” he said as the battle for the state heated up.