New Delhi:
In a dramatic escalation of the water dispute between Delhi and Haryana, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal has accused Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini of pretending to drink water from the Yamuna River, only to spit it out. This allegation has sparked a heated political row, particularly as the Delhi assembly elections approach on February 5, 2025.
The controversy began when Kejriwal alleged that the Haryana government had contaminated the Yamuna water supplied to Delhi, posing a significant health risk to its residents. In response, Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini took a sip of Yamuna water at the Haryana-Delhi border to refute these claims. The Election Commission has also intervened, seeking proof from Kejriwal to substantiate his allegations.
Kejriwal’s accusation that Saini pretended to drink the Yamuna water and then spat it back into the river has been at the center of the dispute. Kejriwal shared a video of Saini performing Achman (sipping holy river water) and claimed that this was a deceptive act, suggesting that the Haryana government wants Delhi residents to consume the same “poisonous” water that its leaders cannot drink themselves.
Kejriwal’s allegations are rooted in his claim that the Yamuna water supplied to Delhi is contaminated with high levels of ammonia, making it dangerous for human consumption. He has stated that if this water were to be mixed with Delhi’s drinking water, it could lead to mass casualties, which he described as “genocide”.
To counter these allegations, Saini performed the ritual of Achman at the Haryana-Delhi border, asserting that he drank the water without any hesitation. Saini termed Kejriwal’s statements as “unfortunate” and accused him of attempting to create public fear for political gain.
The BJP has also weighed in, accusing Kejriwal of sharing an edited video of Saini and challenging him to drink Yamuna water from Delhi’s side. The Haryana government has announced plans to file a case against Kejriwal under the Disaster Management Act for spreading panic with his remarks.
In response to the Election Commission’s request for evidence, Kejriwal submitted a 14-page letter detailing the pollution in the Yamuna River and its associated health risks. He emphasized that Delhi receives highly contaminated and poisonous raw water from Haryana, which is then used for human consumption. Kejriwal urged the Election Commission to intervene and ensure that safe water is made available to Delhi’s citizens.
The BJP and Congress have both challenged Kejriwal’s claims, with Rahul Gandhi pointing out that Kejriwal had previously promised to drink Yamuna water but never followed through. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also criticized Kejriwal, suggesting that his allegations were driven by fear of defeat in the upcoming elections.
The water quality issue has become a significant political point ahead of the Delhi assembly elections, with both parties using it to garner public support and criticize their opponents.
