UP min tells flood victims ‘Ganga is touching your feet’; Woman replies, ‘Stay and take blessings’
Lucknow: Amid ongoing flood-like conditions and severe waterlogging in parts of Uttar Pradesh, particularly along the Ganga River, state Cabinet Minister Sanjay Nishad has drawn criticism for controversial remarks made during a visit to Kanpur Dehat.
In a video that surfaced on social media, Nishad is purportedly heard telling flood-affected villagers that they are “Ganga’s children” and thus, the “Ganga river reaches your doorstep to clean your feet and this would take you directly to heaven,” as reported by The Indian Express on Wednesday.
Nishad, assigned to oversee relief work in the district, made the comments as residents tried to voice concerns over the flooding and lack of adequate relief.
Also, a woman travelling along with the government team is purportedly heard trying to clarify the minister’s remarks to an elderly woman, who in turn asks her to stay there with them and “take the blessings of Ganga yourself.”
The minister’s remarks triggered widespread criticism online, with many calling them insensitive amid the ongoing crisis. Defending his statement, Nishad stated that he was only trying to offer emotional support. “Flooding is a natural calamity, and the government is doing everything it can to help people. We are giving food packets, cooked food as well, but one needs to highlight positive thoughts to them also, and that is what I did. We cannot stop water, and this is not a one-day or one-year problem,” TIE quoted Nishad as saying.
He added that instilling hope is essential, or else “the opposition will spread negativity.”
Incessant rainfall in Uttar Pradesh has led to floods in thirteen districts of the state. The Ganga River is reportedly flowing above the danger mark in Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ghazipur, and Ballia. Similarly, the Yamuna has crossed the red mark in Auraiya, Kalpi, Hamirpur, Prayagraj, and Banda.
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4 held for sexually assaulting woman, girl on moving bus after social media alert in UP's Agra
Agra (UP) (PTI): Four people were arrested, after a prompt response by police following a social media alert, for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and a girl inside a moving bus here, officials said on Tuesday.
According to an official police statement, at 12:27 am on April 27, information was received on the social media platform X about an incident of sexual assault on a bus travelling from Kanpur to Ahmedabad, which was approaching Namner crossing in Agra.
Acting under the direction of Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar, the Agra Police social media team immediately alerted the Rakabganj police station within minutes and coordinated with the victims to confirm the incident and obtain the exact location, it stated.
Police teams launched intensive checking at Namner crossing and intercepted the bus as it reached the spot. The four accused involved in the incident were apprehended on the spot, and legal action was initiated against them, the statement said.
The police said the swift response and coordination between the social media team and field units ensured timely action, bringing relief to the victims and other passengers, who expressed gratitude towards the police, it added.
