MUZAFFARPUR, October 30 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday accused the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of “insulting” the Chhath festival for political gain, while asserting that the Centre is working to secure UNESCO heritage status for the celebration that holds deep cultural significance in Bihar.
Addressing an election rally in Muzaffarpur, Modi said the festival, which honours ‘Chhathi Maiyya’, is revered not only in Bihar but across the world. “For the Congress-RJD leaders, Chhath Puja is just a drama. The people of Bihar will never forget this insult to their faith,” he said.
The Prime Minister accused the opposition of showing disrespect toward Bihar’s traditions while seeking votes. “Those who once mocked Chhath and the people who celebrate it are now pretending to worship ‘Chhathi Maiyya’ for political mileage,” he added.
Modi also invoked the state’s past under RJD rule, calling it an era marked by “katta, kurta, katuta, kusashan, and corruption.” “These five words sum up what Bihar suffered during the jungle raj,” he told the crowd, referring to the period often associated with lawlessness and political patronage.
Taking aim at the opposition’s development promises, Modi said, “Those who looted the railways—can they ever develop connectivity in Bihar?” He alleged that during the RJD’s tenure, vehicle showrooms were looted and nearly 35,000 to 40,000 abduction cases were reported across the state.
The Prime Minister concluded by reiterating his government’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage and ensuring that the Chhath festival, which unites communities across regions, receives global recognition through UNESCO.
