The political atmosphere in Bihar turned tense on 04 September 2025 after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) called for a state-wide bandh. The protest was triggered by abusive remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Mahagathbandhan’s Voter Adhikar Yatra in Darbhanga. Workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Janata Dal United (JDU) and other NDA allies poured onto the streets to register their anger.
Reason Behind the Bihar Bandh
The bandh was announced after a Congress leader allegedly used offensive language for the Prime Minister during a public rally in Darbhanga. The remark, made from the stage of the Voter Adhikar Yatra, immediately sparked outrage within the BJP and its alliance partners. The NDA declared that such language was unacceptable in political discourse and called for a five-hour shutdown across Bihar to express their protest.
The Mahagathbandhan, which includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Vikassheel Insaan Party (VIP) and left parties like CPI, CPM and CPI-ML, had organized the yatra against the special revision of the voter list. It was during this campaign that the controversial remark was made, which has now escalated into a major political confrontation.
Streets Filled with Protesters
On Thursday morning, BJP and NDA workers blocked roads across several districts. From small towns to major urban centres, protesters gathered in large numbers and stopped vehicular movement. The bandh was visible in Patna where groups of workers sat on the roads at Dak Bungalow Chowk and Income Tax Golambar. These central points of the capital saw traffic disruptions from early morning, causing inconvenience to office-goers and daily commuters.
The protestors were shouting slogans against the Mahagathbandhan and demanded an apology for the derogatory words spoken against the Prime Minister. Vehicles were forced to halt as demonstrators staged sit-ins on busy roads. Public transport faced delays, and markets in some areas remained closed due to the call given by NDA parties.
Impact of the Bandh in Districts
Reports from across Bihar suggest that the bandh call received mixed responses. In several districts, BJP and JDU workers managed to stop traffic and create blockades. Trucks, buses and even two-wheelers were forced to remain idle on highways for hours. In some areas, schools and small businesses preferred to remain shut fearing escalation of the protest.
The bandh also had a visible effect in Darbhanga, the city where the controversial remark was originally made. Local workers of NDA blocked key intersections and raised slogans demanding strict political accountability. Similar scenes were reported in Muzaffarpur, Bhagalpur, Gaya and Ara where large groups of party workers staged demonstrations.
Leaders React to the Incident
The Bihar bandh came at a time when most senior BJP leaders were in Delhi attending a core committee meeting held a day earlier. Despite the absence of top state leaders, local workers and district functionaries ensured that the bandh was implemented on the ground. JDU workers joined BJP cadres in many locations, highlighting alliance unity over the issue.
Party spokespersons stated that the protest was not merely against an individual leader’s words but against the culture of disrespectful politics. They argued that abusing the Prime Minister was an insult to democratic traditions and needed to be condemned strongly. NDA leaders emphasized that such political conduct would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Mahagathbandhan remained firm on their criticism of the government’s policies. They said their yatra was aimed at highlighting irregularities in the voter list revision and accused the NDA of trying to divert attention from real issues by focusing on one leader’s remarks.
Public Reaction to the Shutdown
The bandh caused difficulties for ordinary citizens who were caught in the middle of political confrontation. In Patna, office-goers struggled to reach their workplaces as vehicles were stopped at major crossings. Passengers at bus stands and railway stations also faced delays as transport services were affected.
Small shopkeepers in the capital expressed frustration, saying that frequent political bandhs harm business. Many residents also voiced concern over political leaders not being present in the state while workers enforced the shutdown on the streets. Social media reflected divided opinions, with NDA supporters backing the bandh as a legitimate protest and opposition voices calling it an unnecessary disruption.
The Political Context
The incident highlights the charged political climate in Bihar ahead of upcoming elections. The Mahagathbandhan is attempting to mobilize support through campaigns like the Voter Adhikar Yatra while the NDA is focusing on projecting unity and defending the image of Prime Minister Modi.
The use of derogatory language has added fuel to an already heated rivalry. Political analysts suggest that both camps are trying to consolidate their respective voter bases. While the Mahagathbandhan emphasizes alleged flaws in governance and electoral processes, the NDA is positioning itself as the defender of dignity and discipline in politics.
The Bihar bandh called by the NDA on 04 September 2025 displayed the depth of political tension in the state. Triggered by offensive remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the shutdown saw active participation from BJP, JDU and other alliance partners. Roads in Patna and several districts were blocked, traffic was disrupted and normal life was partially affected.
The protest underlined how quickly political disputes can escalate in Bihar’s volatile environment. While NDA leaders framed the bandh as a defense of political dignity, the Mahagathbandhan accused them of ignoring larger issues. For the common people, however, the day meant delays, disruptions and yet another reminder of how politics in Bihar often plays out on the streets.
