In a move that has ignited fierce political debate, the Aam Aadmi Party government in Delhi has created an artificial stretch of the Yamuna river specifically for the Prime Minister's ceremonial Chhath Puja dip, drawing sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The Artificial Yamuna Controversy
Delhi's ruling AAP party has confirmed constructing a specially designed artificial water body along the Yamuna's banks to facilitate the Prime Minister's participation in the traditional Chhath rituals. The project, located near the ITO area, was developed as an alternative to the heavily polluted main river.
"We have created a clean, artificial Yamuna for the Prime Minister's Chhath celebrations," stated AAP's chief national spokesperson, Priyanka Kakkar. "This initiative ensures that devotees, including our respected PM, can perform their rituals in purified water without exposure to the Yamuna's severe contamination."
BJP's Sharp Retort
The opposition BJP wasted no time in launching a counter-attack, accusing the Delhi government of political opportunism and environmental negligence. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva led the charge, questioning the timing and motives behind the artificial river project.
"Instead of creating temporary artificial solutions for political optics, the AAP government should focus on actually cleaning the real Yamuna river," Sachdeva asserted. "This is nothing but an election stunt that exposes their failure in addressing the genuine environmental crisis."
The Environmental Context
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of Delhi's longstanding struggle with Yamuna pollution. Despite numerous cleanup initiatives and substantial financial allocations, the river remains critically polluted, particularly during festival seasons when thousands of devotees traditionally gather for religious ceremonies.
The artificial Yamuna project represents an attempt to provide a hygienic alternative for Chhath Puja observances, a significant festival for migrants from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh who form a substantial portion of Delhi's population.
Political Implications
This development has quickly evolved into a major political flashpoint, with both parties positioning themselves as protectors of religious traditions and environmental interests. The timing is particularly sensitive given the upcoming electoral season, making the Yamuna's condition a potent political symbol.
As the war of words intensifies, Delhi residents are left watching the unfolding drama while the actual Yamuna continues to struggle with pollution levels that regularly exceed safety standards by alarming margins.
