Day 2 of Delhi Water Minister Atishi’s indefinite fast for water (Paani Satyagraha) saw high drama with a group of protesters raising slogans at the site in Jangpura on Saturday. While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders said the protesters were sent by the BJP to disrupt the fast, the latter said they were bus marshals removed by the Delhi government from their jobs.
Atishi said: “This morning, the BJP sent its ‘goondas’ to disrupt the fast and to attack me, but we are walking on the pathway paved by Gandhi… No matter how many times you threaten me… I will keep fighting for the rights of the people in Delhi.”
The minister sat on a podium along with the party’s other senior leaders, including Pankaj Gupta, Sanjay Singh, Vinay Mishra, Rohit Mehraulia, Dilip Pandey and Parveen Kumar.
Atishi said: “Gandhiji taught us that when we face struggle against injustice, when our fight is for truth, there is no other way than Satyagraha.” The party leaders said Atishi’s health check up showed a reduction in weight and low levels of blood sugar and blood pressure.
AAP MP Singh said despite the weight loss, Atishi is full of courage. Said Pandey: “There is a lot of pain to be endured in a hunger strike… but your (Atishi’s) voice has not lowered. There is no sign of weakness… This has only been made possible because of your courage.”
Vinay Mishra, Dwarka MLA, alleged: “The BJP government in Haryana should visit the Hathnikund barrage, it is full on the side of Haryana but towards the Delhi side, it is dry, its gates are closed because of which Delhi is not receiving enough water.”
Rohit Mehraulia, Trilokpuri MLA, said: “Nowadays, it does not feel like the Ganga or Yamuna is flowing from the lap of the Himalayas. Instead, it seems it is sourced from the Haryana Chief Minister’s house.”
Reacting to the allegations, Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva said: “It is clear that AAP leaders can’t tolerate dissent. Sanjay Singh insulted the bus marshals who came to claim their rights by calling them BJP agents. The people of Delhi will never forgive them.”
