A New Low in Political Discourse

The election battleground in Bihar turned sharply confrontational after Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress-RJD alliance of hurling abuses at his late mother from their campaign stage. The incident, captured in a viral video from Darbhanga, has stirred anger, not just within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but across social and political circles, igniting debates about the decline of civility in India’s democratic contest.

For Modi, this was more than a political jab—it was a deeply personal affront. While addressing nearly 20 lakh women virtually during the launch of the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited, he spoke with visible emotion, framing the episode as not only an insult to his mother but to all mothers and daughters of India.

Modi’s Emotional Response

“Slurs were used for my mother from the RJD-Congress stage in Bihar,” the Prime Minister declared. “These words have dishonored not just her memory but every mother and sister in this country.”

He went on to recall his late mother Heeraben Modi’s sacrifices. Born into poverty, she endured hardship, worked tirelessly despite ill health, and denied herself basic comforts to raise her children. “She never bought a new saree for herself, saving every rupee for us. This is the story of countless mothers across India, who live lives of penance for their families,” Modi said.

Drawing a sharp contrast between his background and those of political dynasties, he argued that “princes born with golden and silver spoons cannot grasp the struggles of underprivileged mothers.” The comment was a veiled attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, both heirs of powerful political families.

The Viral Video and Its Fallout

The controversy stems from a video that surfaced online, showing young men on a stage decorated with Congress and RJD symbols shouting profanities directed at the Prime Minister’s mother. Party flags and supporters were clearly visible in the background. The BJP quickly seized on the clip, condemning it as “a new low in Indian politics” and accusing the Opposition of sanctioning abuse as a campaign tool.

“This has crossed all boundaries of decency. Even if Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav fold their hands and apologize a thousand times, the people of Bihar will not forgive them,” BJP leaders said in a statement.

The Congress, however, sought to deflect blame. Senior leader Pawan Khera claimed that “BJP agents” infiltrated the event to create a scandal, arguing that the ruling party was desperate to distract from the Opposition’s rallies.

Politics of Dynasty and Dignity

This clash fits into a broader narrative Modi has often employed—pitting his humble origins against the entrenched power of dynastic politics. By emphasizing his identity as the “son of an ordinary mother” who rose to become the nation’s pradhan sevak, he reinforces the contrast between his journey and the privilege of his rivals.

The controversy also feeds into BJP’s long-standing critique of Opposition leaders as out of touch with ordinary Indians. By invoking the sanctity of motherhood, Modi seeks to transform a personal insult into a collective grievance, resonating with women voters in Bihar and beyond.

Women at the Center: Jeevika Initiative

The timing of Modi’s remarks carried symbolic weight. He spoke while unveiling the Bihar Rajya Jeevika Nidhi Saakh Sahkari Sangh Limited, an institution designed to provide women entrepreneurs with affordable access to credit.

Under this scheme, ₹105 crore was transferred directly into the system’s bank account, marking a decisive move to reduce women’s dependence on microfinance institutions notorious for charging exorbitant interest rates of 18–24 percent. Instead, Jeevika Nidhi will channel larger, low-interest loans digitally and transparently into the accounts of rural women’s collectives.

More than 20 lakh women associated with self-help groups witnessed the launch. By linking the dignity of mothers to financial empowerment, Modi not only condemned the insult but also presented a tangible policy measure underscoring his government’s support for women.

Opposition Under Fire, But Questions Remain

The incident has undoubtedly placed the RJD-Congress alliance on the defensive. Both parties now face the difficult task of clarifying whether the abusive slogans were endorsed by their cadres or the handiwork of outsiders. For the electorate, however, perception often outweighs explanation.

In a state like Bihar—where family honor, respect for women, and cultural values carry immense weight—the charge of insulting mothers could prove politically costly. Even those skeptical of BJP’s motives may find the Opposition’s stage-management wanting.

At the same time, some observers caution against reducing politics to cycles of outrage. They argue that while the language used was unacceptable, political discourse in India has long been marred by personal attacks, name-calling, and inflammatory rhetoric from all sides. Modi himself pointed out the “long list of slangs” once used against him, from “neech” to “gandi nali ka keeda.” The current controversy, then, may be less an aberration and more a reflection of how deeply polarized political language has become.

The State of India’s Politics

The abuse hurled at the Prime Minister’s late mother has opened a sobering window into the state of Indian politics. Campaign platforms meant to debate policies and visions are increasingly becoming stages for invective and humiliation. In Bihar, a state with rich traditions of public discourse and political mobilization, this descent is particularly disheartening.

For Modi, the episode is an opportunity to consolidate moral high ground, positioning himself as the voice of ordinary families and women. For the Congress-RJD alliance, it is a moment of reckoning, forcing them to either own up to indiscipline or risk losing credibility among voters.

Ultimately, this incident is a reminder that politics without dignity corrodes democracy itself. When leaders and their families become targets of vulgar abuse, the debate shifts away from governance, development, and policy. India’s democracy is robust enough to accommodate fierce rivalries, but it deserves better than this race to the bottom. The challenge ahead for all parties is not merely to win elections, but to restore the dignity of political discourse.

(With agency inputs)