The unassuming word 'katta' - local slang for a country-made pistol - has unexpectedly become the central theme of Bihar's ongoing election season, triggering both political attacks and creative imagination across the state. What began as a metaphorical reference in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech has rapidly escalated into a full-scale verbal battle between political rivals.
The Genesis of Katta Controversy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi initially used the term during an election rally, claiming that the RJD had put a 'katta' to the Congress's head to force the declaration of Tejashwi Prasad Yadav as the Grand Alliance's chief ministerial candidate. The PM elaborated that Bihar's people explicitly reject a 'katta wali sarkar' or government of gun-wielders, positioning the NDA as promoting education and sports instead.
On Friday, the Prime Minister intensified his criticism, accusing the RJD of fostering a culture of fear. "The RJD, if voted to power, will put 'katta' on people's heads and ask them to raise their hands," Modi stated, referencing a recent incident from a Samastipur rally where a young boy allegedly declared that if Tejashwi Bhaiya came to power, they would roam around with 'katta' in hand.
Congress Strikes Back with Irony
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera dramatically escalated the rhetoric on Saturday during a press conference in Patna. In a sharp retort to PM Modi's comments, Khera suggested that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should "don a katta on PM Modi's temple" and demand formal recognition as the NDA's chief ministerial face.
"After listening to PM Modi, I will suggest Nitish Babu to take a 'katta' and put it on their temple and get himself declared their CM face, or else they will not do it. They only understand the language of 'katta'. This is what they have been doing in Gujarat," Khera asserted, blending political criticism with sarcastic commentary.
Political Symbolism and Public Discourse
The humble 'katta', once symbolic of Bihar's lawless past, has been reinvented as potent political shorthand representing fear, defiance, and irony. The term has transcended political rallies to become a talking point at roadside tea stalls and across social media platforms, where memes and discussions about the 'katta' phenomenon are spreading rapidly.
Prime Minister Modi contrasted the competing visions for Bihar's future, stating: "I shiver to hear that the RJD, in its campaign, is getting children to say that upon growing up, they wish to become 'rangdaar' (street bullies). Bihar does not want a govt offering katta, kushasan, kroorta and corruption. NDA promotes school bags, computers, cricket bats and hockey sticks."
This linguistic battle over a single word demonstrates how political narratives can be shaped around powerful symbols. The 'katta' controversy has effectively captured the essence of the competing political ideologies and governance models being presented to Bihar's voters, making it unlikely that this loaded term will disappear from political discourse anytime soon.
