10.08.2026 17:50
In India, moments when Maharashtra Congress party leader Nana Patole's feet were washed with milk by his supporters went viral. The ceremony, held with prayers and hymns, drew criticism, while a statement from Patole further escalated the controversy. Patole stated that the people in the footage were not just party workers, that they were younger than him, and that he considered them like family members.
Images of Congress Party leader Nana Patole's feet being washed with milk by his supporters in Maharashtra, India, have become a hot topic on social media. As reactions to the ceremony, held with prayers and hymns, grew, Patole said the people in the images were party workers younger than him whom he sees as family members.
RITUAL-LIKE FOOT WASHING
Images taken at an event attended by Nana Patole, one of the prominent figures of the Congress Party in Maharashtra, India, have sparked controversy.
In the images shared on social media, Patole was seen sitting on a chair while two party workers washed his feet with milk. During the ceremony, prayers and hymns were recited, and flower petals were sprinkled on Patole.
After the brief ceremony, Patole was seen accepting the gesture from his workers and blessing them.
PATOLE: I DO NOT NORMALLY APPROVE
Following the rapid spread of the images, a statement came from Patole. Responding to the reactions, the politician stated that he does not normally approve of such a practice.
Patole said the people in the images are not just party workers; they are younger than him, and he sees them as family members.
HARSH CRITICISM FROM THE RULING SIDE
The images also drew a reaction from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) camp.
Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule criticized the party workers washing their leader's feet at the ceremony. Bawankule also pointed out that Patole was dealing with his phone during the ceremony, arguing that the images reveal the leader-worker relationship within the Congress Party.
“SHOCKING”
Bawankule described the workers being made to sit at their leader's feet and wash them as “shocking.”
After the images became the center of political debate, an unnamed official from the Congress Party also made an assessment. The official stated that if the images are confirmed to be authentic, what happened is “shameful,” and said the party leadership would evaluate the matter.
DEBATE GROWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
With the widespread sharing of the moments of Patole's feet being washed with milk on social media, the political debate in India has also grown. While some viewed the images as a traditional display of respect among supporters, others criticized them in terms of the politician-party worker relationship.