Twitter users mock Indian politician carried through floods

NEW DELHI, India – A senior Indian politician was widely mocked on Monday, August 22, after photos showed policemen carrying him through ankle-deep muddy water while inspecting deadly floods in the country’s center.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, chief minister of Madhya Pradesh state, was shown wearing crisp white trousers and white shoes and being carried aloft through the water in a field, trailed by his entourage.

The photo of a smiling Chouhan with his arms wrapped around the two officers made newspaper front pages and sparked an outpouring of ridicule on Twitter.

Most comments were lighthearted in a country where politicians are almost always flanked by a legion of fawning officials and security guards.

“Shame on #Shivrajsinghchouhan. So embarrassing #wetyourfeet my man,” Twitter user Jennifer Fernandes wrote.

“#Shivraj training Indian athletes for 400M Relay 2020 Olympics,” read another.

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, celebrating with coaches & staff after defeating Phelpes to clinch gold in 400m swimming. pic.twitter.com/hAVDAzTYrK

— Sand-d Singh (@Sand_In_Deed) August 22, 2016

Height of Stupidity
v/s
Height of creativity!
Shivraj Singh Chouhan pic.twitter.com/ETRhcX5HGz

— deepak pande (@deepakpande77) August 22, 2016

Modi taking aerial survey of Shivraj singh chouhan’s ground survey of flood affected areas in Madhya Pradesh pic.twitter.com/lZMuF7gzCP

— Harley Quinn (@ritikajain01) August 22, 2016

But Chouhan was also accused of abusing his position, with comparisons drawn to the treatment of British officials during colonial times.

A top government public relations officer defended Chouhan, saying it would have been dangerous for him to wade through the waters himself.

“Nobody knew if the water level would rise suddenly or if the ground below was slippery,” SK Mishra told AFP.

“There was also the danger of a snake or scorpion bite. He was desperate to meet the flood-affected people and the security guys could not have taken any chance.”

Floods triggered by monsoon rains have claimed hundreds of lives across India. In Madhya Pradesh at least 15 people have died after rivers burst and flooded villages, the Press Trust of India news agency said.

Chouhan himself posted several pictures of his flood visit on Twittter but skipped the controversial one, while his office denied on Monday releasing the image.

An Indian TV journalist was sacked in 2013 after he filed a report about deadly floods while perched on a survivor’s shoulders.

The reporter claimed the man who carried him while standing in ankle-high water had hoisted him onto his shoulders as a sign of respect. – Rappler.com