On Saturday morning, the Delhi Congress staged a dramatic 'matka phod' protest in the national capital voicing their anger against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government over the escalating water crisis.
The ‘Matka Phod’ Protest
The protest, which began at 10am, saw Congress workers and local residents carrying earthen pots on their heads and waving Congress flags.
Protestors from areas like Pushp Vihar, Tughlakabad, Raja Garden, Raghuveer Nagar, Tagore Garden, Pratap Nagar, Vishnu Garden, Tilak Nagar, Janakpuri South Block, smashed earthen pots on the ground to demonstrate their frustration with the ongoing water scarcity.
The ‘smashing of Pots’ symbolised the breaking point of the residents' patience. Protestors raised the issue that there was a supply of dirty water through taps, which residents claimed had not been addressed adequately.
They chanted slogans such as “pani ke liye Delhi behal-tanker mafia malamal” (Delhi suffering for water while the tanker mafia thrives), “Dilli sarkar ki ye nadani, leakage se behta 58% paani” (This folly of Delhi government, 58% water wasted through leakage), and “Kharid ke paani peeta har pariwar, neend me soi Dilli sarkar” (Every family buys water, Delhi government sleeps).
They accused the Delhi government and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of neglecting the city's water issues for the past decade. Protesters alleged that despite numerous complaints and pleas, the Delhi government had failed to increase the water treatment capacity of Delhi Jal Board plants, exacerbating the water shortage.
Protest Led By Devender Yadav
Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav, leading the protest, called for a special assembly session to address the water crisis, accusing the Delhi government of failing to take adequate measures to tackle the water shortage and forcing people to rely on water tankers.
He said,
“From the past few days, Delhi government and central government are playing blame game and no solution has been provided to the ongoing water crisis...If Haryana or UP is not providing water, the central government should have intervened and offered a solution,”
“The public is struggling for every drop of water...The Congress party is holding a 'matka phod' protest in Delhi to wake up the deaf and dumb government...A proper investigation should be conducted into the tanker mafia and water being supplied in bottles...”
Earlier in the day, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers also staged a protest against the AAP-led Delhi government and water minister Atishi on Saturday in a bid to highlight the water crisis in New Delhi. They gathered near Atishi's office in Kalkaji, carrying earthen pots on their heads which they later smashed on the ground.
Delhi Congress Chief Yadav accused the AAP and BJP governments of “inaction and dilly-dallying” as Delhi residents struggled to obtain “even a drop of potable water.”
He said, “BJP and AAP have been shadowboxing on the issue.”
He claimed that both governments have been neglecting the people's plight by blaming each other instead of taking effective measures to resolve the water crisis. He further alleged that collusion between the tanker mafia and ruling party MLAs, along with widespread corruption, are the main causes of Delhi’s water issues.
Atishi Appeals to Haryana Government
On Friday, Water Minister Atishi highlighted that Delhi is experiencing a severe heatwave and facing a water shortage. There is also a decline in water production in Delhi, attributing it to the reduced water flow in the Yamuna river.
She shared data showing a consistent decrease in water production from June 6 to June 13, with figures dropping from 1,002 MGD to 939 MGD during this period. The Wazirabad Pond should have water at a level of 674.5 feet, but it currently stands at 668.5 feet, she added.
Atishi, Delhi Water Minister Appeals Haryana Government “to release extra water” and urged Delhi People to ‘carefully use water” amid Delhi Water Crisis.💧👇#DelhiWaterCrisis #Atishi #watercrisesdelhi #DelhiNews pic.twitter.com/ZfO9PQzLTL— VYGR News (@Vygrofficial) June 15, 2024
While appealing to the Haryana Government for extra supply of water on ‘humanitarian grounds’, she highlighted that there is a continuous decline in the water supply in Delhi. He also urged people of Delhi to ‘carefully use water’.
(Inputs from Various Agencies)
Image Source: Multiple agencies
© Copyright 2024. All Rights Reserved Powered by Vygr Media.
