New Delhi : A light-hearted conversation between Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mohammad Irfan, the daily wage labourer who became an internet sensation after his remarks during the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, has emerged as a refreshing moment amid the attention surrounding Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Irfan’s home.
In an interview Mohammad Irfan said Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra phoned him before Rahul Gandhi’s visit to his home in Delhi’s Savda JJ Colony. Recounting the conversation, Irfan said Priyanka jokingly asked him to persuade Rahul Gandhi to get married, remarking that her brother never listens to her advice. “I told her that I hoped Rahul Gandhi would not get married,” Irfan said, describing the light-hearted exchange during the interview.
Rahul Gandhi later visited Irfan’s residence after the latter’s interview at the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest site gained widespread attention on social media. During the meeting, Rahul Gandhi listened as Irfan shared his views on democracy, the Constitution, labour rights and the importance of ensuring dignity for workers. The Congress leader also invited Irfan and his family to visit Parliament.
Although he received very little formal education, studying only up to the anganwadi level and finding it difficult to read and write, Irfan said he learned about the Constitution, democracy and workers’ rights through Google voice search and YouTube. His interview with The Lallantop journalist Rajat Pandey, recorded after police action during the Jantar Mantar protest, quickly went viral, with many social media users praising his awareness of social and constitutional issues despite his limited educational background.
