Bihar bandh: NDA’s protest over remarks on PM Modi’s mother brings state to halt

September 4, 2025

Patna: The NDA’s statewide bandh, held from 7 a.m. to noon on Thursday, had a widespread impact across multiple districts. Roads were blocked, markets shut down, and heavy traffic congestion was reported in several locations.

The bandh was organized to protest and demand an apology over what the NDA described as derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother during the Mahagathbandhan’s ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Darbhanga.

Protests Erupt in Patna and District Headquarters

In the state capital Patna, NDA leaders and workers took to the streets. BJP MLA Sanjeev Chaurasia, along with women party members, staged a demonstration at the Income Tax intersection, blocking the road and shouting slogans against the opposition.

In Ara, protesters blocked the road at Mathiya turn, chanting “We will not tolerate mother’s insult.”

Widespread Blockades and Market Closures

In Banka, BJP Mahila Morcha members blocked NH-33A in Panjwara market. Shops were shut, and bus services halted in the Amarpur block. Women leaders declared, “Mother is the form of Goddess; her insult cannot be tolerated.”

In Aurangabad, commercial establishments remained closed, with road blockages reported in Tandwa and Navinagar blocks. Katihar witnessed demonstrations at Shaheed Chowk and Mirchaibari Chowk, where tyres were burnt on the roads. Former Deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad led a march, stating: “The PM’s mother is the mother of the entire country. Her insult is the insult of 140 crore Indians.”

Key Leaders Join Road Blockades

In Darbhanga, BJP Mahila Morcha president Sapna Bharti, along with women party members, blocked the Delhi Mor Bus Stand. Sapna Bharti warned, “Until Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav apologise from a public platform, BJP’s protest will not stop.”

JD(U) leader Dr Ismat Jahan also criticised the Darbhanga remark, saying: “It is unfortunate to abuse the Prime Minister from the land of Mata Sita.”

In Gopalganj and Siwan, BJP activists forced shops to close, halted vehicles on NH-27, and kept autos off the streets.

Sasaram and Other Areas See Traffic Paralysis

In Sasaram, BJP workers led by former MLA Jawahar Prasad and Lalan Paswan blocked the Post Office crossing, causing complete traffic standstill and long vehicle queues on both sides of the road.

Political Significance of the Bandh

The bandh stands out as a rare instance of a ruling alliance calling for a statewide shutdown. For the Grand Alliance (RJD-Congress-Left-VIP), the incident has become a significant defensive challenge, with NDA leaders framing the remarks as a moral and cultural affront to Indian values, and pledging to intensify their protests in the coming days.