Dimapur, September 1: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Nagaland today organized a protest rally in Dimapur against derogatory remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother Heeraben Modi by a supporter of the INDI-Alliance during a programme linked to Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra in Darbhanga, Bihar.
Led by BJP Nagaland President, Benjamin Yepthomi and BJP Mahila Morcha President, Tsachola Rothrong, the rally was held near the Congress Bhavan in Dimapur and witnessed the participation of hundreds of party workers.
Addressing the gathering, Tsachola Rothrong strongly condemned the incident, calling it “not an expression of dissent but a collapse of basic decency.” She noted that while Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav had left the venue before the remarks were made, true leadership is measured by “what you permit in your name.”
Rothrong underlined that in Indian civilisation, mothers command reverence. “To insult a departed mother is not political criticism; it is an insult to every family that cherishes the memory of its elders. If we allow this to become the new normal, then tomorrow no leader, no parent, no family will be spared from slander,” she asserted.
She lauded Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for promptly condemning the act, describing their reaction as an example of “civilised democracy that defends dignity first, politics second.”
She urged Rahul Gandhi to uphold the values of democratic debate. “Challenge the government on unemployment, price rise, farmers’ issues, healthcare — that is his right and duty as an opposition leader. But do not drag personal insults and abusive words against a mother into public life. That lowers not Narendra Modi, but Indian democracy itself,” she asserted.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Calling the incident a “poisoning of public life” that has already triggered protests in Patna, Surat, and Chhattisgarh, Rothrong warned that personal vilification in politics weakens the foundations of Indian democracy.
She demanded an unconditional apology from Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party to the nation; a clear disciplinary policy against party workers using abusive language; and a bipartisan pledge that families, especially mothers, remain out of bounds in political battles.
Rothrong reminded that India, with its 140 crore voices, thrives on debate and difference but not on personal insults. “Governments rise and fall. Power is transient. But words endure. Let us choose words that uplift our Republic and honour our heritage. In Bharat, we debate fiercely, but we never insult a mother,” she said.
