Delhi Minister Atishi Starts Indefinite Hunger Strike Over Water Crisis

Delhi's Water Minister Atishi has begun an indefinite hunger strike in Bhogal, demanding more water from Haryana. Accompanied by AAP leaders and Sunita Kejriwal, she protests against Haryana's reduction of Delhi's water share amidst an intense heatwave affecting millions of people in the city.

Delhi Water Minister Atishi commenced an indefinite hunger strike in south Delhi's Bhogal on Friday, demanding increased water supply from Haryana. She was joined by Sunita Kejriwal, the wife of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, and other AAP leaders.

Sunita Kejriwal conveyed a message from the chief minister, currently incarcerated in Tihar jail, expressing hope for the success of Atishi's 'tapasya' (penance). Chief Minister Kejriwal expressed his agony over the water shortage faced by Delhiites amidst a severe heatwave.

'It's our culture to provide water to the thirsty,' he said, noting that despite political differences, neighbouring states should support Delhi in such tough times. Haryana, ruled by the BJP, has reduced Delhi's water quota, exacerbating the crisis, he added.

Earlier in the day, accompanied by AAP MP Sanjay Singh and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat before marching to Bhogal. She reiterated that despite efforts, Haryana has withheld 100 million gallons per day from Delhi's allocation for the last two weeks, affecting 28 lakh residents. The city's water demand has surged due to the ongoing unprecedented heatwave.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)