As large parts of Uttar Pradesh reel under a worsening flood crisis, particularly in districts located along the Ganga River, thousands of families are battling rising water levels, loss of shelter, destruction of crops, and the collapse of basic infrastructure.
Amid this dire situation, State Cabinet Minister Sanjay Nishad, tasked with overseeing relief operations in the Kanpur Dehat district, triggered widespread criticism after making remarks that many perceived as deeply insensitive to the suffering of flood-affected residents.
During his visit to inundated villages in Kanpur Dehat on Monday, a video emerged on social media in which the minister — who also heads the Nishad Party — is purportedly seen telling residents, You are Ganga’s children. The Ganga river has come to your doorstep to wash your feet and bless you. This is a pathway to heaven.”
The comments, made while villagers were visibly distressed and pleading for help, quickly went viral and sparked a storm of criticism across social platforms, with many accusing the minister of trivializing the crisis and offering spiritual platitudes instead of concrete aid.
Struggling Against the Waters
Entire villages in Kanpur Dehat and neighboring districts have been submerged. Families are stranded on rooftops or in makeshift shelters on higher ground.
Crops have been destroyed, access to clean drinking water has been cut off, and medical help is either delayed or unavailable. Roads have disappeared under sheets of water, and schools and local health centers have either been damaged or turned into temporary shelters.
Elderly citizens, children, and daily-wage workers are among the hardest hit. Many have lost their belongings and livestock, and with floodwaters entering homes, the fear of waterborne diseases is now rising. Relief, according to locals, has been patchy at best.
In the viral video, as Minister Nishad spoke about divine blessings through the floodwaters, a woman travelling with the government convoy was seen attempting to explain the “spiritual” meaning behind his words to an elderly local woman.
The villager, visibly unimpressed, retorted: I If that’s the case, then you should stay here and receive the Ganga’s blessings yourself.”
Defending the Comments
Facing mounting criticism, Minister Nishad later spoke to The Indian Express, stating: Flooding is a natural disaster. The government is working to provide food packets, cooked meals, and relief. But in times of despair, people also need emotional strength.
That is what I tried to give them. We cannot stop the water. This is not a problem of just one day or one year. It keeps recurring.”
However, his defense has done little to pacify public anger, with many accusing the government of failing to address recurring flood mismanagement, particularly in Ganga basin areas, and using spiritual rhetoric as a distraction from administrative failure.
Recurring Disaster, Repeating Apathy
This is not the first time that seasonal floods in Uttar Pradesh have left a trail of destruction. Experts and activists have long warned about the lack of proper embankments, drainage systems, flood forecasting mechanisms, and long-term rehabilitation plans.
Despite decades of recurring devastation, comprehensive flood management remains inadequate.
Residents now fear that once the floodwaters recede, they will be left to rebuild their lives on their own — a familiar pattern seen in previous years.
As the state continues to grapple with rising water levels, what residents demand is action, not symbolism — immediate aid, compensation, and lasting infrastructure that can withstand the yearly monsoon fury.
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