Delhi Minister Atishi Begins ‘Water Satyagraha’ Over Water Crisis

Delhi Water Minister Atishi has started an indefinite fast, called ‘Water Satyagraha,’ to protest against the Haryana government for not providing enough water to Delhi. She claims 28 lakh people are affected by the shortage.

Atishi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat before beginning her fast at Bhogal, Jangpura. She stated, ‘Water shortage continues in Delhi. Even today 28 lakh Delhiites are not getting water. Despite every possible effort, the Haryana government is not providing full water to Delhi. Mahatma Gandhi has taught that if one has to fight against injustice, one must adopt the path of Satyagraha.’

The BJP and Congress have criticized the AAP government, with BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj accusing it of orchestrating the crisis to encourage corruption. Swaraj said, ‘It almost seems that this crisis, which is not a natural crisis, has been orchestrated by the Kejriwal government to encourage their own corruption as well as to encourage the illegal tanker mafia.’

Delhi has been facing a water crisis for nearly a month, with people in various parts of the city queuing up to collect water from tankers. The political row over the water crisis has continued to intensify with BJP and AAP at loggerheads, and Congress’ Delhi president Devender Yadav also attacking the Delhi government, terming it a ‘deceit’ with the people.