Several districts of Uttar Pradesh have been flooded and waterlogged in Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Varanasi all much swollen by heavy rains of late. Amid such chaos the state fisheries minister, Sanjay Nishad, went to Kanpur Dehat to witness a flood-affected area.
Flooding surfaced an outrage with his statement: “The Ganga maiya reaches your doorstep to clean your feet and take you to heaven,” which a number of people considered immensely insensitive towards those suffering losses. A video of Nishad’s offer went viral, being heavily criticized for flushing away all of the government’s efforts to mitigate the flood situation.
Opposition Slams Minister for ‘Insensitive’ Words
The viral clipping was posted on X by the Uttar Pradesh Congress, remarking that Nishad lives in an upscale local area of Lucknow far from the floodwaters. Did his statement then imply that he would be denied such “salvation”? The minister was also attacked by Samajwadi Party spokesperson Sharvendra Bikram Singh, who said he was living in a realm that was out of touch with tens of thousands displaced from their homes and livelihoods. “Instead of providing relief, these ministers are seeking photo opportunities. These statements expose how disconnected UP ministers are from the ground situation,” Singh said.
“गंगा मैया गंगा पुत्रों के पैर धोने आती हैं, आदमी सीधे स्वर्ग जाता है” – ये बयान है योगी सरकार के मंत्री संजय निषाद का।
मंत्री जी खुद लखनऊ के पॉश इलाके में रहते हैं, गंगा तो क्या नाली भी उनके दरवाज़े पर नहीं बहती।
तो क्या इसका मतलब ये निकाला जाए कि मंत्री जी सीधा..वहां जाएंगे?… pic.twitter.com/sOK3bsRu90
— UP Congress (@INCUttarPradesh) August 5, 2025
Nishad Issues Clarification
As if the condemnation had not been heavy enough, in response, a more significant explanation was rendered by Nishad, who said his remarks were light-hearted and had a cultural background. “People from far away travel to take a holy dip in the Ganga to seek salvation.
Here, Ganga maiya has reached their doorstep. We Nishads worship rivers as our source of life and livelihood. My words must be understood in that context,” Nishad explained to PTI. He insisted that he did not in any way demean the suffering of the flood victims.
ALSO READ: Ganga Crosses Danger Mark in Varanasi, Submerges 84 Ghats and Displaces Thousands
Higher Priority Now for Relieving Flood Situation
Heavy monsoon rains are inundating low-lying areas and forcing many residents to evacuate their homes as rivers overflow. The rising water levels are thus affecting the normal life and damaging properties. Flooding is a clear threat to the livelihoods of fishing and farming communities alike. While the state government assured relief operations, opposition parties accused it of not sufficiently responding.
With waters still entering homes in the affected districts, the question is now whether the administration would be able to shift its resources to assist the displaced victims with shelter, food, and medical assistance. Nishad’s controversial statement only served to add fuel to the fire of public outrage, further calling for urgent responses, possibly with the intention to evoke empathy and speak for disaster mitigation stronger on the ground.
ALSO READ: Yamuna Water Warning Level in Delhi as Rivers Across UP Cross Danger Mark
