On Thursday, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva took a dip in the Yamuna River to protest against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s handling of rising pollution levels in both the river and the city. During his visit to the riverbank, he issued a challenge to AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Atishi and national convener Arvind Kejriwal, inviting them to inspect the river’s condition.
Invitation to AAP Leaders
Speaking to ANI, Sachdeva remarked, “We have set up a red carpet for ‘shahi’ (royal) people.” He explained that two chairs were arranged at the riverbank, a nod to a tradition that Atishi herself had started. “People who used to live in ‘Sheesh Mahal’ are accustomed to the red carpet because they are ‘Shahi’ people. We have prepared two chairs for Atishi, and if Arvind Kejriwal comes, we will be happy to welcome him as well. Although he is on bail, he was the chief minister of Delhi. We will wait a bit longer for their arrival,” he added.
Sachdeva also demanded accountability from AAP regarding the ₹8,500 crores allocated by the Central government for cleaning the Yamuna River.
AAP’s Response
In response to Sachdeva’s comments, Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj emphasized that the BJP should address pollution issues originating from its own state governments. He stated, “As far as industrial waste in Yamuna river is concerned, there are no industries in Delhi. Industrial waste is coming from the drains of Panipat and Sonipat. This has been verified and stated by the NGT multiple times. If Virendra Sachdeva is genuinely concerned, he should discuss this issue with the Haryana government to stop the industrial waste from Sonipat and Panipat.”
Concerns Raised by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor
On October 22, Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena shared images on social media showing toxic froth in the Yamuna and urged authorities to prioritize relief for the city’s residents over making excuses. He posted, “These pictures of Yamuna ji are from this morning. Who is responsible? The truth cannot be suppressed. Instead of making accusations and excuses on media/social media, it would be better to provide relief to the people of Delhi, especially Chhath worshippers and those fasting during this worsening situation. I expect concrete steps for redressal.”
Air Quality Measures
In light of deteriorating air quality, the Delhi Environment Minister announced the enforcement of GRAP-II (Graded Response Action Plan) rules across North India, as the air quality index (AQI) has risen above 300.