The Delhi government has alleged a deliberate attempt to sabotage its image ahead of the upcoming Chhath Puja celebrations. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department has formally requested that the police register a First Information Report (FIR) following reports of dead fish being dumped into the Yamuna River.
In a communication addressed to the Station House Officer (SHO) of Sonia Vihar, officials from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department detailed the alleged incident. The department claims that unidentified individuals are responsible for the dumping, asserting that the act is intended to tarnish the government’s reputation in the lead-up to the festival.
The accusation surfaces amid an ongoing political debate regarding the state of the river's water quality. Recently, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari visited the Yamuna and took a dip in the water to signal that pollution levels have decreased significantly. Tiwari claimed that the river's pollution load had been reduced by half over the previous year, suggesting that the stretch is now suitable for Chhath Puja rituals.
Saurabh Bharadwaj, the AAP Delhi president, countered these assertions by criticising the BJP's narrative. Bharadwaj stated that the 26-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna between Palla and Wazirabad has historically maintained relatively lower pollution levels, arguing that these conditions were present even during previous periods. He dismissed the BJP's claims as inaccurate.
Key facts
- The Irrigation and Flood Control Department submitted a request for an FIR to the Sonia Vihar police station.
- Allegations suggest unknown persons are dumping dead fish into the Yamuna to damage the Delhi government's public image.
- BJP MP Manoj Tiwari claimed the river's pollution load has reduced by half compared to the previous year.
- The dispute centres on the cleanliness of the 26-kilometre stretch of the river from Palla to Wazirabad.
Why it matters
The situation highlights the heightened political sensitivity surrounding the Yamuna River, particularly as it serves as a central site for Chhath Puja observances. The outcome of the police investigation into the alleged dumping could influence the ongoing public discourse regarding the effectiveness of recent river cleaning initiatives.
Source: Times of India
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