A visit by Congress MP Tariq Anwar to flood-affected regions of his constituency on Sunday (September 7) has sparked heated debate after a video surfaced showing villagers carrying him on their shoulders through waterlogged areas.
The clip, which quickly spread on social media, drew sharp criticism with many calling it insensitive at a time when locals are struggling to cope with the devastating floods. Anwar had embarked on a two-day tour of his parliamentary seat, inspecting the Shivnagar-Sonakhal area in Dhuryahi panchayat along with the Barari and Manihari assembly segments.
What a disgrace!
— Saffron_Syndicate (@SaffronSyndcate) September 8, 2025
Congress MP Tariq Anwar riding on locals shoulders in flood zone while people struggle in flood-hit Bihar.
Arrogance, insensitivity, and a total disconnect from reality—this is what entitlement looks like. Absolutely shameful. pic.twitter.com/7aqOjDw5x0
Defending the MP, Katihar District Congress President Sunil Yadav explained that Anwar was unwell during the inspection. “We used a tractor, boat and bike to travel. At one point, our truck got stuck in the mud and we had to walk nearly two kilometers. It was extremely hot, and Mr. Anwar was feeling unwell, so villagers carried him out of concern. It was done out of affection, not protocol,” Yadav told NDTV.
Anwar himself later posted pictures and videos of his interactions with affected families, stressing the seriousness of the crisis. “Today, I inspected the flood-affected areas of Manihari and Barari. People are facing severe difficulties due to the floods and river erosion. I stand with the affected families in this difficult time and appeal to the government for prompt relief and concrete solutions,” he wrote on X.
The opposition BJP, however, used the viral video to launch an attack. Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla remarked, “Sense of entitlement of Congress—even in flood-affected areas they want VVIP protocol?”
