Haryana Court Summons Arvind Kejriwal Over Yamuna Pollution Allegations
A court in Haryana has summoned Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal to appear on February 17 following his allegations that the state had dumped industrial waste into the Yamuna River, rendering its water toxic.
Kejriwal, responding to the Election Commission’s demand for clarification, asserted that the raw water supplied from the BJP-governed state was “highly contaminated and extremely poisonous” for human health. He also highlighted the water treatment shortage in Delhi.
A Sonipat court issued a notice in response to a complaint by an executive engineer from the Rai Water Services Division.
The court order stated that Kejriwal must appear in person at the next hearing, warning that failure to do so would result in proceedings continuing without his input.
Haryana Government’s Response
Haryana Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Vipul Goel announced that the state would file a case against Kejriwal under the Disaster Management Act for his “irresponsible statement,” which allegedly spread unnecessary panic among citizens of both Delhi and Haryana.
Goel confirmed that the case would be registered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate’s court in Sonipat.
Kejriwal’s Defense Before the Election Commission
Kejriwal defended his claims before the Election Commission, arguing that he had a duty to highlight the “severe toxicity and contamination” of the raw water received from Haryana.
He claimed that the ammonia level in the water was so high that treatment plants in Delhi were unable to reduce it to safe levels.
As evidence, Kejriwal shared a video of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini appearing to drink Yamuna water before spitting it out.
“Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini pretended to drink Yamuna water… and then spat the same water back into the Yamuna,” Kejriwal posted on social media.
He added that the Haryana government expected Delhi residents to consume the very water their own officials refused to drink.
Haryana CM Saini’s Counterclaim
To counter Kejriwal’s accusations, CM Saini released a video showing himself performing achman—a Hindu ritual of sipping water from a sacred river—stating that he drank the Yamuna water without hesitation.
Delhi Jal Board’s Findings
AAP followed up Kejriwal’s claims by citing Delhi Jal Board data, asserting that the ammonia levels in Yamuna water were seven times higher than the permissible limit.
They referenced an official letter from the board’s CEO confirming extreme toxicity in the raw water supply.
BJP and Congress Challenge Kejriwal’s Claims
Both the BJP and the Congress have criticized Kejriwal’s statements. While the BJP dismissed his claims as baseless, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recalled that Kejriwal had previously promised to drink Yamuna water but had yet to fulfill this pledge.
“Five years ago, Arvind Kejriwal said he would drink Yamuna River water. It has been five years, and he still has not,” Gandhi remarked.
Kejriwal’s Appeal for Election Commission Intervention
In his 14-page reply to the Election Commission, Kejriwal argued that advocating for clean water as a basic human right should not be considered an offense.
He maintained that his statements were in the public interest, emphasizing the dire need for a solution.
“The verifiable fact remains that Delhi, as a lower riparian state, depends on Haryana’s raw water supply for potable water. The contamination level has been so high that water treatment plants are unable to process it effectively,” he stated.
Kejriwal also requested the Election Commission to instruct the Haryana government to ensure that safe water is provided to Delhi residents.
Escalating Political Tensions
The controversy intensified just days before the Delhi assembly elections, with Kejriwal accusing the BJP of deliberately “mixing poison” in Delhi’s water supply to create unrest and shift blame onto AAP’s administration.
“The vigilance of Delhi Jal Board engineers prevented this toxic water from reaching the people,” he claimed.
The Election Commission warned that such statements, which could incite division and unrest, could be deemed a punishable offense.
However, Kejriwal insisted that “facts prove no violation of any law or any code has been committed.”
The Bigger Picture
As the political debate over Yamuna water contamination continues, both supporters and critics of Kejriwal remain divided.
The Haryana government denies any wrongdoing, while AAP maintains that it is only advocating for public health and clean drinking water.
Haryana CM Saini further countered the allegations with another video, where he is seen at the Yamuna River bank, splashing water and sipping it.
“I drank the holy Yamuna water. Lies have no legs, and that is why AAP’s falsehoods are not working,” he posted on social media.
With election season in full swing, this controversy has become a flashpoint in the ongoing battle between AAP and the BJP, further intensifying the political landscape in Delhi and Haryana.
