A remark made by Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Sanjay Nishad during his visit to flood-affected areas in Kanpur Dehat has sparked criticism, particularly after a woman, visibly affected by the waterlogging, reacted sarcastically to the minister’s explanation by asking another official to stay and embrace the blessings of the Ganga herself.
The controversy erupted after a video surfaced on social media showing Nishad telling villagers that they are children of the Ganga and that the river reaching their doorsteps was akin to a divine act of cleansing, which would lead them to heaven, according to The Indian Express.
This interaction occurred even as several residents attempted to explain the hardships they were facing due to severe waterlogging and flood-like conditions that have gripped parts of Uttar Pradesh, especially areas along the Ganga River.
Nishad, who also heads the Nishad Party and has been given charge of monitoring flood relief efforts in the district, made the remarks while touring an inundated area, where many villagers had gathered to seek help and highlight the lack of drainage and relief measures.
A woman accompanying the government team was seen attempting to explain the minister’s spiritual interpretation to an elderly resident, who dismissed the explanation and pointedly invited the woman to remain in the flooded village to experience the so-called blessings herself.
The video drew sharp reactions online, with many criticising the minister for trivialising the suffering of affected families by offering philosophical consolation instead of concrete assurances or aid. In response to the backlash, Nishad defended his comments by saying that the government was actively distributing food packets and providing support, but also maintained that emotional encouragement and positive thinking were necessary during natural disasters.
He added that floods were a recurring issue that could not be resolved in a single day and stressed the importance of maintaining public morale, warning that otherwise, the opposition would seize the opportunity to spread negativity. His comments, however, did little to assuage the anger of those who felt that their lived experiences of hardship were being dismissed in favour of poetic analogies.