RJD MLA slams PM Modi birthday celebrations amid Bihar floods
Synopsis
As Bihar battles severe flooding, RJD MLA Bhai Virendra has called out the BJP government's lamp-lighting directive for PM Modi's birthday — arguing that mustard oil at ₹200 a litre being burned in ceremonial lamps is money that should reach flood victims. The remarks crystallise a sharp political divide between celebration and crisis in the state.
Key Takeaways
RJD MLA Bhai Virendra from Maner criticised PM Modi's birthday celebrations on 17 September amid ongoing floods in Bihar .
The BJP -led Bihar government issued directives to light lamps at government institutions and schools to mark the occasion.
Bhai Virendra cited mustard oil prices at ₹200 per litre , arguing the expenditure should go to flood victims instead.
He alleged that lakhs of flood-affected residents have received inadequate relief, with homes and livestock lost.
The RJD MLA also broadened his attack to include inflation, unemployment, and crime.
Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MLA Bhai Virendra from Maner constituency has criticised the scale of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday celebrations in Bihar on 17 September, arguing that public funds should be redirected toward flood relief as thousands of families across the state remain displaced and distressed.
The Political Flashpoint
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been organising celebrations across the country to mark PM Modi's birthday, including a directive from the BJP-led Bihar government to light lamps at government institutions and educational establishments. The move has drawn sharp pushback from the opposition, particularly as Bihar continues to battle widespread flooding affecting lakhs of residents.
What Bhai Virendra Said
While extending birthday wishes to the Prime Minister, Bhai Virendra drew a pointed contrast between the festivities and the ground situation. 'I wish Prime Minister Modi a long life, but the way his birthday is being celebrated stands in stark contrast to the situation in Bihar and several other states, where lakhs of people are struggling with floods and receiving no relief,' the RJD legislator said.
He also took aim at the lamp-lighting directive specifically, citing the cost of mustard oil. 'Mustard oil is currently selling at ₹200 per litre, and vast quantities of it will be burned in lamps. Had that same money been given to flood victims, it would have truly benefited them,' he said.
The MLA further alleged that teachers in schools and staff at block offices had received instructions to participate in the celebrations, adding: 'The country is reeling under a mountain of debt; it is shameful that such activities are being carried out using borrowed money.'
Flood Situation in Bihar
Bihar's annual monsoon floods have, according to Bhai Virendra, left lakhs of people without adequate assistance, with livestock swept away, houses collapsing, and families grieving losses. The RJD has consistently raised the issue of relief distribution in flood-hit districts. This comes amid a broader political battle in the state over the administration's response to the humanitarian crisis.
Broader Attack on the Government
Bhai Virendra used the occasion to launch a wider critique, alleging that the government had failed to adequately address inflation, unemployment, and crime. He urged PM Modi to reconsider government-backed birthday celebrations and focus state resources on the problems facing flood-affected communities.
Political Context
The controversy reflects a recurring fault line in Bihar politics, where the RJD-led opposition routinely challenges the BJP-JDU ruling alliance on governance and welfare delivery. Opposition parties have repeatedly questioned the optics of large-scale government-organised events during natural disasters. With the flood season far from over, the political debate over relief versus celebration is likely to intensify in the coming weeks.
Point of View
But directing schools and block offices to participate during an active flood emergency invites legitimate scrutiny. The RJD's critique is politically motivated, but the underlying question — whether ceremonial expenditure is defensible when relief pipelines are reported to be thin — deserves a factual answer the BJP has yet to publicly provide. Bihar's flood vulnerability is chronic and well-documented; the optics of lamp-lighting directives during peak distress will continue to be weaponised unless the government can demonstrate that relief operations are fully funded and functioning independently of any ceremonial budget.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did RJD MLA Bhai Virendra criticise PM Modi's birthday celebrations?
Bhai Virendra argued that public funds being spent on celebrations — including lamp-lighting at schools and government offices — should instead go toward flood relief for the lakhs of Bihar residents currently affected by flooding. He cited mustard oil prices at ₹200 per litre as an example of wasteful ceremonial expenditure during a humanitarian crisis.
What did the Bihar government direct regarding PM Modi's birthday?
The BJP-led Bihar government issued directions for lamps to be lit at various government institutions and educational establishments to mark PM Modi's birthday on 17 September. The directive extended to schools and block offices, according to the RJD MLA's account.
What is the flood situation in Bihar right now?
Bihar is facing widespread flooding, with lakhs of families reportedly affected, homes collapsing, and livestock being swept away. Opposition legislators allege that adequate relief has not reached many affected areas, though the government has not publicly responded to these specific claims.
What broader allegations did Bhai Virendra make against the government?
Beyond the flood relief issue, the RJD MLA alleged that the government had failed to adequately address inflation, unemployment, and crime. He said the country is burdened by debt and called government-backed birthday celebrations financed by public money 'shameful'.
How does this fit into Bihar's political landscape?
The row reflects a longstanding opposition strategy by the RJD to challenge the BJP-JDU ruling alliance on welfare and governance. Flood seasons in Bihar regularly become political flashpoints, with the opposition questioning relief distribution and the government defending its response record.
