Hitting back at Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on ‘Chhath Puja’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the people of Bihar would not forget this “insult” by Congress and RJD leaders.
“Congress and RJD leaders are insulting 'Chhathi Maiyya' to get votes in Bihar. Chhath Puja is a 'drama' for them. People of Bihar will not forget this insult for years,” he said, addressing a rally at Muzaffarpur in poll-bound Bihar.
Modi further declared that the government is trying to secure UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status for the Chhath Mahaparva.
"I listen to Chhath songs while travelling. I was once moved to listen to one of these songs rendered by a girl from Nagaland. But while this son of yours is busy ensuring that Chhath gets the honour that is its due, the Congress-RJD people are heaping scorn on the festival, calling it a drama, a nautanki," he said.
Modi’s counter came a day after Rahul, while addressing a campaign event in the state, alleged that the prime minister would do anything, even dance, for votes if asked by electors.
"If Modi ji wants to do drama, wants to do drama of Chhath Puja, then water will come, video cameras will come,” the Congress MP had said.
Rahul’s remarks drew sharp reactions from the BJP, which said the Congress leader’s words reflected the contempt and hatred that he has for Hindu dharma, Chhath Puja and Bihar's culture.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said both Rahul and Mahagathbandhan will have to suffer major consequences in the upcoming Bihar polls for “insulting” all devotees of 'Chhath Maiya'.
"If Modi ji respects the festival of Chhath and he (Rahul Gandhi) finds it 'nautanki' (drama), then Rahul ji is not insulting Modi ji. Rahul ji has insulted all the devotees of Chhath Maiya, Bihar and the entire Purvanchalis. And I believe that he will have to suffer big consequences for this in the Bihar elections,” Shah said.