On 21st June, the Delhi water minister Atishi entered an indefinite hunger strike at Bhogal in South Delhi demanding more water from Haryana.
During Atishi’s fast, AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Saurabh Bharadwaj of Delhi were present together with Sunita Kejriwal wife of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
While starting her fasting on behalf of Himachal Pradesh, Sunita Kejriwal read out an appreciation message that was sent by his husband to Atishi who he hoped would make it through successfully.
The Chief Minister, who has been watching television clips from Tihar Jail where he is currently languishing stated that being forced to see the people suffering due to lack of water during this extreme heat wave pains him a lot.
“We always get our supply of water from nearby states. We knew the intensity of the heat will be supported by Bengaluru. However we did not know that Haryana would reduce its supply to us,” said CM Arvind Kejriwal.
“But is this time for politics over water when there are different parties in power in two States,” he asked while referring to BJP ruling Haryana.
Earlier, AAP leaders like Ms. Atishi, along with Sanjay Singh and Shahdara legislator,Saurabh bharadwaj paid homage at Raj Ghat before going for their indefinite fasts in Bhogal
“This summer is hot in Delhi as such; due to increased number or residents there must be some more demand for that but because of scarcity every now and then this cannot happen. We even have no river within our premises since all river flowing through delhi cut off their ways right after entering into this city” begin Ms.Atishi
She mentioned that she has appealed personally to Haryana government regarding water crisis without any fruitful response as well as personally written letters twice to Prime Minister Narendra Modi which were also not responded to and no water was given to Delhi.
“I am forced now, as I cannot bear the difficulties faced by the men, women and children of Delhi, to go on an indefinite hunger strike. This Jal Satyagraha is open-ended till people of delhi get water from Haryana.” She continued.
Delhi receives one thousand five (1005) millions gallons per day which is then distributed to consumers within the city. Haryana has been giving 513 MGD instead of 613 MGD for two weeks in a row. She notes that when Haryana stops 100 MGD of water; over twenty eight lacs people would starve.
Ms. Kejriwal claimed that this rate had subsequently been cut down to 120 MGD from 100 MGD within two days by Haryana.
In the morning, she announced her plans for initiating her indefinite protest at Bhogal since despite all efforts made by the government of Haryana did not release their full share of water belonging to Delhi.
“I will start ‘Pani Satyagraha’ today…I will start indefinite fast at Bhogal, Jangpura from 12 o’clock until Delhi’s rightful share of water is delivered from Haryana,” she said on X earlier in the day,” she said on X.
According to her statement, during these last two weeks Haryana released 100 Million Gallons Per Day (MGD) less than its share leading to shortage for more than twenty eight lakhs people living in Delhi
Unprecedented heat wave has gripped New Delhi resulting into increased demand for potable water.
