'Unwell' Congress MP gets piggyback ride from villagers during flood inspection in Bihar; video goes viral

Katihar, Bihar: A video of Congress MP Tariq Anwar being carried on a villager’s back during a flood inspection in Bihar’s Katihar has sparked political reactions and gone viral on social media. The incident occurred during Mr Anwar’s two-day visit to his flood-affected parliamentary constituency, where he was surveying the damage and meeting with locals.

In the footage, Mr Anwar is seen being piggybacked by a villager through a waterlogged and muddy field, while others walk beside him, helping to support him and ensure he doesn’t fall. A police officer is also seen assisting.

The scene has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and social media users, but the Congress party has defended Mr Anwar’s actions, citing health reasons.

"He was unwell," says Congress

Katihar District Congress President Sunil Yadav told NDTV that Mr Anwar had been feeling dizzy due to the extreme heat and long hours spent traveling through flooded areas.

"We used a tractor, boat and bike to travel. During the inspection, our truck got stuck in the mud, and we had to walk around 2 km. It was extremely hot and Mr Anwar was feeling unwell; his head was spinning. As soon as he expressed this, the villagers picked him, purely out of love, and walked around," said Yadav.

He emphasized that the villagers acted out of affection and concern, and not under any compulsion.

Visuals from the ground

Mr Anwar shared multiple pictures and videos from his visit on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), reaffirming his support for the affected families and urging the government to provide immediate relief.

In one image, Mr Anwar is seen walking through a village with a police officer and another man holding umbrellas over him. In another clip, he is seen riding a tractor with several villagers, all holding umbrellas under the scorching sun.

"I stand with the families affected by the flood. The government must act urgently to provide relief to the people of Katihar and other affected districts," he posted.

Several districts in Bihar, including Katihar, continue to reel under heavy flooding due to rising water levels in major rivers such as the Ganga, Kosi, Gandak, and Ghagra. The situation has disrupted daily life, damaged homes, and displaced thousands.