Dalit Icon’s Family Gets Token Toilet, Netas Get Photo-Ops!
by Ashis Sinha
Gaya (Bihar): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s recent high-profile visit to Gehlaur, the native village of iconic “Mountain Man” Dashrath Manjhi, has erupted into a storm of controversy—not for his political gestures, but for the bizarre and now-viral “pop-up toilet” stunt pulled off by local officials.
On June 6, as part of a planned outreach to Dalit communities in Gaya and Nalanda, Gandhi visited Manjhi’s family—an event positioned as a tribute to the legendary man who singlehandedly carved a mountain to pave a road. However, the focus swiftly shifted from homage to hypocrisy when a shiny, VVIP-style mobile toilet installed hours before Gandhi’s arrival was just as swiftly dismantled and whisked away after he left.
Dashrath Manjhi’s family says the temporary toilet was pure tokenism.
“We had a toilet built in 2015, but it was demolished for a road project. Since then, we’ve had nothing,” said Anshu Kumari, Manjhi’s granddaughter. “Now, one suddenly appears before Rahul Gandhi comes—and disappears minutes after he leaves. Is this how my grandfather’s legacy is honoured?”
She did not hold back on the irony either: “The man who broke a mountain for the people has a family still living without dignity. But politicians get temporary toilets in his name.”
The incident has triggered widespread outrage on social media and among activists, who slammed the act as a textbook example of “symbolism over substance.”
Dashrath Manjhi’s Family Cries Foul: ‘Toilet Built for Netas, Not for Us!’
District Magistrate Sushant Shubhankar, newly appointed in Gaya, tried to downplay the episode, calling it “routine VVIP protocol.” Still, he assured that a probe will be conducted into the lack of sanitation facilities at Manjhi’s residence and promised urgent action.
Meanwhile, the visit wasn’t without political messaging. During the interaction, Dashrath Manjhi’s son, Bhagirath Manjhi, reportedly expressed his desire to contest the Bodh Gaya (SC reserved) seat. Rahul Gandhi was said to be receptive and gave assurances that his request would be considered.
Critics and citizens, however, are calling out what they see as a larger pattern of “performance politics,” where visuals of respect are staged, while real issues remain untouched. The whole episode has once again thrown a harsh spotlight on the stark gap between political spectacle and ground realities—especially for India’s marginalised.
