The controversy surrounding alleged derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother during the INDIA Bloc’s Voter Rights Yatra in Darbhanga has escalated to legal proceedings. On Thursday, a criminal complaint was filed in the Civil Court by local resident Satish Chandra Gupta, naming INDIA Bloc leaders Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and Mukesh Sahani as the main accused. The complaint also includes 100 unidentified individuals, with the next hearing scheduled for September 17.

According to Gupta’s lawyer, Brijnandan Singh, the case has been filed under Sections 61(1)(2), 62, 356, 351, and 553 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sahita (BNS) Act. Singh alleged that hundreds of INDIA Bloc supporters used “abusive” language against PM Modi and his late mother from the stage, causing hurt to the sentiments of millions of Indians.

The lawyer emphasised that Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, and Mukesh Sahani are responsible since the offensive remarks occurred on their alliance’s platform in their presence, making it a cognisable offence. “Narendra Modi is a democratically elected Prime Minister. Such remarks are not just a personal insult but also an attack on the values of Indian democracy,” Singh stated.

The incident took place during a public meeting in Darbhanga attended by Rahul Gandhi, Tejashwi Yadav, Mukesh Sahani, Dipankar Bhattacharya, and several other leaders. Mohammad Rizvi, also known as Raza, allegedly used objectionable words about PM Modi and his late mother from the stage. A video of the remarks quickly went viral on social media, prompting widespread criticism. Rizvi was later arrested from Singhwada block in Darbhanga.

In response, the BJP’s Bihar unit called for a statewide bandh to protest against the INDIA Bloc. Senior leaders, including BJP state president Dilip Jaiswal, former Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, and former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad, led demonstrations on Thursday, highlighting public outrage over the incident.