Archive · 6 Aug 2025
UP Minister's Flood Remark Draws Criticism
A UP minister made a comment to a woman in a flood-affected area about the Ganga river coming to "clean her feet," which caused a lot of anger.
The minister said he was joking, and that his comment was in reference to the Nishad community's relationship with rivers.
Other political parties disagreed and said the minister was being insensitive to people who have lost their homes in the flood.
UP Fisheries Minister Sanjay Nishad made a controversial remark to a flood-affected woman in Kanpur Dehat.
Nishad said the Ganga river reached her doorstep "to clean your feet and take you directly to heaven."
The comment sparked outrage from opposition leaders who criticized Nishad's insensitivity.
Nishad, of the NISHAD party (an ally of BJP), claimed the remark was made in jest and within the context of the Nishad community's reverence for rivers.
Opposition parties accused the minister of being disconnected from the plight of flood victims and failing to provide adequate relief.
- Who
- UP Fisheries Minister Sanjay Nishad, flood victim, opposition leaders, Nishad community.
- What
- UP Fisheries Minister made controversial comment to flood victim.
- When
- During visit to flood-affected area, August 2024.
- Where
- Kanpur Dehat, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The minister's remark was criticized for being insensitive to the plight of flood victims and the opposition accused him of not caring about the damage and destruction the floods had caused.
Opposition View
Government View
Insensitivity
Opposition View
Minister's remarks show insensitivity and disconnect from the reality of the situation.
Government View
Minister's remarks were made in a lighter vein, within context of Nishad community's reverence for rivers.
- Minister
- Sanjay Nishad
- Portfolio
- Fisheries Minister
- Location
- Kanpur Dehat, UP
- River
- Ganga
- Political Party
- NISHAD party (BJP ally)
- Controversy
- Insensitive remarks to flood victim
