During a recent "Mahila Samvad" (Women's Dialogue) program in Gaya, Bihar, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi encountered a remark from a local woman that has since gone viral. Riya Paswan, a resident of a slum area, told Gandhi that she, like him, was considering remaining unmarried to dedicate herself to politics and public service. This comment drew a smile from the politician and has sparked considerable discussion online.

The interaction occurred during Gandhi's visit to Gaya, where he engaged with women to understand the issues they face. Paswan, who is known locally as "Pad Girl" for her advocacy for free sanitary pads, seized the opportunity to express her political aspirations. She stated that she wanted to enter politics to improve education and health, but noted that many people, especially women, are hesitant to join politics. Paswan asserted that her thinking was different, echoing Gandhi's own unmarried status as a symbol of dedication to the people.

Paswan is already a well-known figure in her community. She and her team address small problems faced by people in slum areas. According to her, people approach them whenever they face any issues. She gained prominence for demanding free sanitary pads for women at an event, arguing that it was necessary to prevent diseases. She recounted how she was scolded by an official at the time, who said that if she asked for pads, she would later ask for shoes and contraceptives. The video of this incident went viral, leading to an apology from the official and intervention from Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Gandhi's visit to Bihar included meetings with various community members. He met with the family of Dashrath Manjhi, the "Mountain Man," in Gaya. Gandhi spoke with Manjhi's granddaughter, Anshu Kumari, about Dashrath Manjhi's struggles after his wife died while crossing a mountain.

Rahul Gandhi's marital status has often been a topic of public interest and occasional questioning. In the past, he has said that he is too busy with his political commitments to get married. During an interaction with students from Jaipur's Maharani College, when asked why he hadn't considered marriage, he responded that he was "completely entangled in my work and in the Congress party." In August 2024, when Kashmiri women students asked him about his marriage plans, he responded, "I don't plan it, but if it happens..."

The viral comment from the Bihar woman highlights the challenges and aspirations of women in politics, as well as the personal sacrifices often associated with public service. It also underscores Rahul Gandhi's image as a dedicated politician, even as his marital status continues to be a subject of curiosity and discussion.