Why Did NDA's Bihar Bandh See Women Party Workers Leading Protests?

Patna, Sep 4 (NationPress) The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) staged a statewide bandh across Bihar on Thursday, demanding an apology for what they described as offensive comments made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his deceased mother during the 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' organized by the Mahagathbandhan in Darbhanga.

The bandh commenced at 7 a.m. and is set to last until noon, with BJP and its allies taking to the streets, chanting slogans against the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.

JD(U) spokesperson Anjum Ara spearheaded the women party workers during the protests, insisting on an apology from the Congress and RJD.

"The manner in which the Prime Minister's mother was insulted on stage by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav during their 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' is an affront to all the women of India. In reaction, women throughout Bihar have taken to the streets today during this bandh. We will persist until these leaders apologize," Ara stated.

Former JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP Kahkashan Perween also criticized the remarks, remarking to IANS, "The entire world witnessed how the Prime Minister's mother was disrespected in Darbhanga. This is why the entire NDA in Bihar has called for this bandh, in her honor, against the affront by the Mahagathbandhan leaders."

BJP MLC Sanjay Mayukh emphasized that the citizens themselves have stepped forward in protest, indicating that the people of Bihar will react appropriately to the remarks against PM Modi's late mother.

"It is not just us; the people of Bihar are on the streets, and a strong response will ensue because the Prime Minister's mother was insulted. Regardless of whose mother is insulted, the populace of Bihar will certainly respond," he conveyed.

JD(U) State President Umesh Singh Kushwaha also targeted the opposition, stating, "During the Voter Adhikar Yatra, the Mahagathbandhan leaders in Darbhanga insulted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother with derogatory language."

"This act undermines our Indian traditions. It raises the question, what kind of chaos do they wish to impose on Bihar? We respect mothers in India; we do not insult them," Kushwaha added.

A significant number of protesters participated in the bandh, chanting slogans against Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav.

One protestor shared with IANS, "We are on the roads because, during Rahul Gandhi's rally in Darbhanga, derogatory remarks were made about the Prime Minister's mother. He must apologize for this. We will not tolerate it."

Another protestor added, "We demand apologies from Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav. Their leaders have insulted the Prime Minister's mother, who is deceased. This is not only an affront to her but to all the women in Bihar. We condemn this behavior."

BJP workers obstructed roads at multiple locations, including Sasaram Post Office Chowk, while in Bhagalpur, traffic was disrupted as protesters amassed in large numbers.

NDA activists also blocked the Bhagalpur-Banka main road at Amarpur Market (SH 85), intensifying the bandh against the Congress and RJD.