Delhi minister Atishi begins indefinite hunger strike as city grapples with severe water crisis

Delhi minister Atishi to go on a hunger strike for indefinite period of time

As Delhi grappled with a severe water crisis, water resources minister Atishi started an indefinite hunger strike at noon on June 21 in Bhogal, South Delhi, to pressure Haryana into releasing the daily entitlement of 100 million gallons of water.

In a social media post, Atishi expressed frustration with Haryana's BJP government for not releasing Delhi's rightful share of water. Before commencing her hunger strike, she paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, highlighting his teachings on using 'Satyagraha' to combat injustice.

दिल्ली में पानी की कमी बरकरार है। आज भी 28 लाख दिल्ली वालों को पानी नहीं मिल रहा। हर संभव प्रयास के बाद भी हरियाणा सरकार दिल्ली को पूरा पानी नहीं दे रही।

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महात्मा गांधी ने सिखाया है कि अगर अन्याय के ख़िलाफ़ संघर्ष करना हो, तो सत्याग्रह का रास्ता अपनाना होगा। आज से ‘पानी…

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) June 21, 2024

"I will start 'Pani Satyagraha' today. I will fast indefinitely at Bhogal, Jangpura, from noon onwards until the people of Delhi receive their rightful share of water from Haryana," Atishi affirmed.

Addressing the media, Atishi emphasised the severity of the water shortage affecting 28 lakh people in Delhi. She called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene urgently to resolve the crisis, regardless of whether water is sourced from Haryana or elsewhere.

"Haryana released only 513 MGD (million gallons per day) of water to Delhi yesterday, whereas our entitlement is 613 MGD. This means over 28 lakh people in Delhi did not receive their due water supply," Atishi explained.

Delhi's pressing water crisis was worsened with heatwaves exacerbating the demand for water in the city.

The Delhi High Court has, meanwhile, halted the implementation of the trial court's bail order for AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal in a money laundering case linked to an alleged excise scam. The Enforcement Directorate urgently challenged the decision, seeking a stay. Kejriwal, who had been in custody at Tihar Jail since March 21, had been on interim bail for campaigning and surrendered on June 2 after the Lok Sabha elections concluded.