MUZAFFARPUR, October 30 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), alleging that the two parties have insulted the Chhath festival “for the sake of votes,” even as he said the Centre was striving to get the ancient celebration recognised by UNESCO as a heritage event.
Addressing a rally in Muzaffarpur, Modi said Chhath Puja, dedicated to ‘Chhathi Maiyya’, is a festival “revered worldwide” and deeply rooted in Bihar’s spiritual life. “For the Congress-RJD leaders, Chhath Puja is just a drama. The people of Bihar will never forget this insult to their faith,” he told the gathering.
The Prime Minister accused the Mahagathbandhan of showing contempt toward Bihar’s cultural values while pretending to champion the people’s cause. “The same people who once mocked our traditions now seek blessings during Chhath for political gain,” he said.
Recalling Bihar’s past under RJD governance, Modi described it as a time defined by “katta, kurta, katuta, kusashan, and corruption.” “These words capture what the people of Bihar endured under the jungle raj,” he said.
Modi also questioned the opposition’s credibility on development. “Those who looted the railways—can they ever develop connectivity in Bihar?” he asked. He alleged that under RJD rule, vehicle showrooms were looted and as many as 35,000 to 40,000 abduction cases took place across the state.
Promising to uphold Bihar’s cultural identity, Modi said his government is committed to giving global recognition to Chhath. “Efforts are on to get the festival included in UNESCO’s heritage list so that the world recognises the devotion of Bihar’s people,” he said.
