Outlook Business Desk
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has announced a statewide bandh in Bihar on September 4, which will be led by the BJP Mahila Morcha and observed for five hours, from 7:00 am to 12:00 noon, as confirmed by BJP Bihar state president Dilip Jaiswal.
To minimise disruption, emergency services, hospitals, and other essential facilities will remain operational. Rail operations and ambulance services are also exempt from the bandh, while retail shops and transportation services are expected to be affected.
The Bihar bandh has been announced to protest offensive remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother. The protest specifically responds to objectionable comments by a Congress worker in Darbhanga last week during the Voter Adhikar Yatra, highlighting widespread political outrage.
"Using such language is highly inappropriate, and so far, the Mahagathbandhan leaders have not apologised. This shows how arrogant they are. They have insulted our mothers and sisters, and now we will retaliate. Therefore, the NDA has called for a Bihar bandh, and the women's wing will hold protests across Bihar," said Janata Dal (United) leader Umesh Kushwaha
Dilip Jaiswal also said NDA leaders firmly condemned the offensive remarks directed at PM Modi and his mother during the Darbhanga event involving RJD and Congress leaders. He emphasised that the insult extended beyond Modi’s mother to all mothers.
Meanwhile, Narendra Modi indirectly targeted INDIA bloc leaders Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, calling them "namdaars," or people born with a silver spoon. He said they cannot relate to the struggles of poor mothers or the hardships faced by their children.
During the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Bihar last week, PM Modi pointed out that these “young princes” from wealthy families cannot relate to the struggles of common people or appreciate the hardships and sacrifices faced by mothers and their children.