Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that leaders of the Congress-RJD alliance had made disrespectful comments over Chhath Maiya, the deity worshipped during the Chhath Puja festival. He added that Bihar's people will not forgive such remarks. Addressing election rallies in Muzaffarpur and Chhapra, Modi further said that the alliance also has problems with the construction of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya.
Responding to comments by Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, who said Modi did a 'staged' ritual in the Yamuna during Chhath Puja, the Prime Minister said Chhath Puja embodies both devotion and equality. He said the government is trying to get UNESCO recognition for the festival. Modi said while his government seeks international respect for the celebration, Congress and RJD leaders try to malign it.
He also recalled past incidents, saying that a Chief Minister hailing from Punjab once called for the expulsion of Biharis in a public meeting and a Congress leader laughed and supported the statement. Modi said Bihar will remember the insult to Chhath Puja for generations.
Modi further attacked the opposition leaders, claiming they prefer traveling abroad rather than visiting the newly constructed Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He said that despite the temple being built after a 500-year struggle, these leaders ignore it, showing indifference to India's cultural traditions.
Modi also spoke about the attacks on Biharis in Telangana and Tamil Nadu. He said despite this, the Chief Ministers there were invited to Bihar for election campaigning. As Modi puts it, this is a political ploy by Congress to displease the people of Bihar and dent the image of RJD.
