Patna: A state-wide shutdown called by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Thursday brought large parts of Bihar to a standstill, after an alleged derogatory remark about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s late mother made at a political event in Darbhanga.
Shops were shuttered, highways blocked and traffic paralysed across several districts from 7am to noon as BJP and NDA workers staged demonstrations, raising slogans and demanding an apology from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav.
In Shivhar and Muzaffarpur, BJP workers blocked major highways by lying down on the road under the scorching sun, chanting “Hindustan will not tolerate mother’s insult”. District leaders including Neeraj Kumar Singh and Sunaina Devi led the demonstrations.
Motihari and Bettiah also saw strong mobilisation. Women protesters marched through the streets chanting, “We will not tolerate insult to mother.” BJP leaders Rupak Srivastava and Seema Madhav Kadiya warned the agitation would continue until Gandhi issued a public apology.
In Darbhanga, members of the BJP Mahila Morcha blocked the Delhi Mor bus stand, raising slogans against Gandhi and Yadav. “The protest will not stop until there is a public apology,” said district president Sapna Bharti.
Similar scenes played out in Purnia, where women activists forced shop closures, and in Gaya, where hundreds joined a march led by senior BJP leader Dr Manish Pankaj Mishra, who described the comments as “an insult to every mother and sister”.
In Katihar, former deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad joined protesters in burning tyres, causing long traffic jams, while Ara witnessed road blockades by BJP workers demanding an apology.
Bhagalpur also reported widespread disruption, with NDA leaders including former Rajya Sabha MP and JDU leader Kahkashan Parveen joining the protests.
BJP leaders claimed the bandh’s impact showed popular support for PM Modi and framed the protest as not only a political demonstration but also a defence of women’s dignity and social values.
