EC questions Kejriwal on Yamuna poisoning issue.
In a 14-page response to the Election Commission, former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal emphasized the severe dangers posed by “toxic water” in the Yamuna. He warned that if such contaminated water were allowed for public consumption, it could result in serious health hazards and even fatalities. Kejriwal highlighted the urgent need for immediate action to prevent a public health crisis. He further stated that neglecting this issue could have devastating consequences for residents. The AAP leader urged authorities to prioritize clean water access and take necessary measures to ensure the safety of Delhi’s citizens, emphasizing that inaction could prove disastrous for public well-being.
New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday directed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal not to conflate the issue of increased ammonia levels in the Yamuna River with his allegations of deliberate river poisoning. The EC provided him with a fresh opportunity to present factual evidence supporting his claims against the Haryana government.
The directive came after the EC found Kejriwal’s initial response, submitted on Wednesday, unsatisfactory. In its latest communication, the poll body has asked him to provide specific and pointed responses regarding the type, quantity, nature, and method of poisoning that he alleges has taken place in the Yamuna.
Kejriwal has also been asked to submit details regarding the engineers involved, the exact location, and the methodology employed by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) staff to detect the supposed “poison” in the river water. The deadline for submitting this information has been set for Friday at 11 AM. The EC has stated that failure to provide the requested evidence may result in appropriate action being taken against him.
The controversy stems from Kejriwal’s recent assertion that the Haryana government was deliberately contaminating the Yamuna River with toxic substances. Responding to the EC’s notice on Wednesday, Kejriwal claimed that the raw water received from Haryana in recent times had been “highly contaminated and extremely poisonous” to human health. In a detailed 14-page reply, he warned that if such toxic water was consumed by the people, it would pose serious health hazards and could even prove fatal.
The EC, in its fresh letter to Kejriwal, reiterated that the availability of sufficient and clean water is a matter of governance. It emphasized that all governments, irrespective of political affiliations, have a responsibility to ensure safe drinking water for their citizens. The poll body made it clear that it does not intend to arbitrate long-standing water-sharing and pollution disputes, particularly during the election period. However, it asserted that the issue of clean water access should remain a priority for all concerned authorities.
Kejriwal’s allegations have stirred a political storm, with the BJP-led Haryana government strongly refuting his claims. Haryana officials have argued that the water supplied to Delhi meets prescribed safety standards and accused the AAP leader of politicizing the issue ahead of elections. They have also pointed out that Delhi itself has long struggled with water pollution and supply inefficiencies, which cannot be attributed solely to water received from Haryana.
The Yamuna River has been a subject of environmental concern for decades, with pollution levels frequently making headlines. High ammonia levels in the river are often linked to industrial discharge and untreated sewage, which are persistent issues affecting the quality of water supplied to Delhi. The Delhi Jal Board has, on multiple occasions, flagged high levels of ammonia in the raw water it receives from Haryana, leading to periodic disruptions in water supply. However, allegations of deliberate poisoning are unprecedented and have added a new dimension to the ongoing debate.
Amid the political crossfire, environmental experts have weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the need for a scientific assessment of water quality. They have suggested that an independent investigation by pollution control boards and water authorities could provide clarity on the nature and extent of contamination. Experts also stress the importance of long-term solutions, such as improved sewage treatment facilities, stricter industrial waste management, and better inter-state coordination to ensure cleaner river water.
Meanwhile, AAP leaders have continued to back Kejriwal’s claims, arguing that the declining quality of water received from Haryana is a serious issue that affects millions of Delhi residents. They have accused the BJP-led government in Haryana of neglecting its responsibility to prevent pollution in the Yamuna and have called for urgent intervention by central authorities.
The BJP, on the other hand, has accused Kejriwal of spreading misinformation for electoral gains. Party leaders have demanded that the AAP leader either provide concrete evidence to support his claims or retract his statements. BJP spokespersons have also highlighted Delhi’s water management challenges, pointing to reports of water wastage, pipeline leakages, and the failure to upgrade water treatment infrastructure under the AAP government.
As the deadline set by the EC approaches, political tensions continue to mount. Kejriwal now faces the challenge of substantiating his claims with concrete evidence. Failure to do so could not only invite regulatory action but also impact his party’s credibility on governance and environmental issues. On the other hand, if he manages to provide compelling proof, it could shift the political discourse and place significant pressure on the Haryana government to address the concerns raised.
This episode also underscores the larger issue of water governance in India. Water pollution, inter-state disputes, and infrastructural shortcomings have long plagued urban centers, affecting millions of people. The need for a cooperative approach to managing shared water resources has never been more pressing. While political parties engage in blame games, the larger challenge remains ensuring access to clean and safe water for all citizens.
The coming days will determine the course of this controversy. If Kejriwal provides credible evidence, it could lead to intensified scrutiny of water management practices in Haryana. If he fails to do so, it might raise questions about the AAP’s handling of environmental issues and its approach to political discourse. The EC’s response after the deadline will also be crucial in setting a precedent for how such allegations are handled in the future.
As political drama unfolds, the people of Delhi continue to grapple with concerns over water quality, hoping that beyond the rhetoric, real solutions will emerge to address their fundamental need for clean drinking water. The issue at hand goes beyond politics—it is about public health, environmental sustainability, and governance accountability.