Is Rahul Gandhi's Remark an Insult to 'Chhathi Maiya' and PM Modi?
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New Delhi, Oct 29 (NationPress) In a heated exchange that has set the stage for the imminent Bihar Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has issued a sharp critique of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming he has disrespected not only Prime Minister Narendra Modi but also the esteemed deity “Chhathi Maiyya” and her followers.
HM Shah stated during a news channel interview, “Rahul Gandhi has not merely offended PM Modi, but he has insulted Chhathi Maiya and her devotees. He will face the repercussions of this in the Bihar elections.”
The Home Minister’s comments were a direct response to Gandhi’s jab at a public rally, where he suggested that PM Modi would “perform on stage” if it meant securing votes. HM Shah, visibly outraged, asserted that Gandhi’s remarks were not just offensive but indicative of a larger pattern.
“Rahul has spoken about PM Modi in a disrespectful manner and has insulted his mother, but each time he does this, the lotus blooms from the murk of lowered standards,” he expressed, referencing the BJP’s symbol with poetic flair.
Addressing a rally in Bihar, the Congress leader also said, “If Modi ji wants to stage a performance, wants to enact the drama of Chhath Puja, then the water will flow, and video cameras will roll.”
The controversy arose from Gandhi’s rhetorical flourish in Bihar, where he urged voters not to be influenced by what he termed Modi’s “drama,” implying that the Prime Minister would engage in theatrics for electoral advantage.
The BJP has seized this moment, framing it as an affront to the cultural significance of Chhath Puja and the dignity of Bihar’s voters.
BJP strategist Pradeep Bhandari intensified the situation, accusing Gandhi of “mocking voters and Indian democracy,” and comparing his tone to that of a “local goon.” He further claimed that Gandhi had “openly insulted every impoverished individual of India and Bihar who supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
This dispute has sparked a vigorous political debate, with the BJP rallying around cultural pride and the Congress focusing on governance critiques. As Bihar prepares for the elections, the battle lines are drawn—not only on policies but also on the emotive issues of faith, identity, and political culture.