The Bihar government held a grand "Ashirwad Ka Diya" event to mark the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, drawing sharp rebuke from opposition parties who accused the ruling BJP of wasteful expenditure at a time when thousands of families across the state are still struggling with the aftereffects of devastating floods.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar joined senior BJP leaders in Bihar, including Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, at the public event organized by the state government. The function, held in Patna, featured a ceremonial diya-lighting ceremony accompanied by cultural performances and speeches praising the Prime Minister. Organizers described the event as a grassroots celebration of national leadership, but critics painted a very different picture.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the largest opposition party in the state, immediately condemned the occasion, terming it a costly distraction from urgent relief work. RJD spokespersons pointed out that several districts in Bihar remain submerged, with large tracts of agricultural land destroyed, cattle lost, and temporary relief camps still housing displaced families. "When our people are sleeping on rooftops and eating meager rations in flood relief camps, lighting a few diyas in a decorated hall is not celebration—it is insensitivity," an RJD leader said.
The Bihar government has been under pressure since heavy monsoon rains triggered widespread flooding across multiple districts earlier this year. Relief operations are ongoing, with the state administration setting up dozens of camps and distributing food, clean drinking water, and medical aid. However, opposition lawmakers argue that the scale of the disaster warrants focused government attention rather than politically charged public events funded through state exchequer resources.
BJP leaders defended the event, saying it was not funded by government coffers alone and that many participants contributed voluntarily. They argued that the ceremony was a matter of political respect and cultural tradition, not an official state function requiring taxpayer money. The party also highlighted the central government's relief assistance already dispatched to flood-affected areas in Bihar.
As the political debate heats up, flood-affected communities say they primarily want functional relief camps, restored infrastructure, and timely compensation promises that have yet to materialize.
