Chhath Puja: On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi severely criticised the Congress-RJD alliance for allegedly belittling Chhathi Maiya Ki Puja, which is one of Bihar’s most revered festivals, and called the comments “an insult to the faith of crores of people.” He further stated that the people of Bihar will not forgive those who insult the rituals through which the identity of Bihar is expressed. “The opposition is using religion to politicize this festival,” he said.
Addressing a rally ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, Modi suggested that for the people of Bihar, Chhathi Maiya is, “not just a festival,” but “an emotion passed through generations” and suggested that describing it as a “drama” was a/didn’t know if it was an attack on Bihar’s pride. This received a thunderous session of applause.
‘Disrespect for Faith cannot be tolerated.’
PM Modi stated that these comments reveal the “real face” of the Mahagathbandhan (the Congress-RJD alliance), who “ridicule faith and beliefs for votes.” He told the voters to stand against those who “do not respect the culture and belief of the land.”
He added, “Those who laugh at our worship do not remember that Bihar has always been a staunch defender of its values. Every devotee performing Chhath worship is representative of Indian tradition’s strength and purity.”
Cultural Sentiments Take Centre Stage in Voting in Bihar
The prime minister’s comments came at a time when the campaign season in Bihar was increasingly heated, with cultural identity and religious sentiments driving the public conversation with voters. Political analysts say Modi is trying to build emotional and cultural connections with Bihar’s majority Hindu voter base.
On the other hand, leaders from Congress and the RJD denied they said anything derogatory, claiming their comments were “taken out of context.”
PM Says Bihar’s Verdict Will Show Its Pride
In closing his speech, PM Modi said, “The people of Bihar will answer through their votes. The ones that disrespect Chhathi Maiya will understand that faith is not a tool of politics—it is Bihar’s pulse.”
With elections coming near in Bihar, the controversy has added an emotional layer to the political contest, as faith and tradition are again key talking points in the pursuit of power.
