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Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday met Mohammad Irfan, a 35-year-old daily wage worker from Delhi’s Savda JJ Colony, whose thoughtful remarks during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar turned him into an internet sensation.

Irfan, who sells ice on a handcart and earns around ₹500 a day, has little formal education but taught himself about the Constitution, democracy and workers’ rights through YouTube and Google. His interview, in which he spoke about minimum wages, the struggles of unorganised labourers and recited the Preamble, went viral after police action at the protest site.

Gandhi visited Irfan’s modest home, interacted with his family and community, and listened to his views on dignified livelihoods and democratic values. He later described Irfan as a young man “whose mindset transcends his circumstances” and said millions like him represent India’s true hope. Gandhi also invited Irfan and his family to Parliament.

In a lighter moment, Priyanka Gandhi had earlier called Irfan and jokingly asked him to convince her brother to get married. Irfan clarified he joined the protest solely to highlight workers’ issues and had no personal demands.