Preparations for Chhath festival are in full swing in the capital Delhi. Chhath Puja is to be organized on the banks of Yamuna on 15th and 16th November, where a large number of devotees are expected to reach. However, a new controversy has arisen after a large number of dead fish were found in the Yamuna river just before the festival. Politics has intensified in Delhi on this issue and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have come face to face. Delhi government minister Pravesh Verma has held Aam Aadmi Party responsible for the death of fish in Yamuna. At the same time, AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj has hit back at the government's allegations.
Pravesh Verma said – dead fish are being deliberately thrown into Yamuna
Delhi government minister Pravesh Verma alleged that some people were deliberately dumping dead fish in Yamuna. They claim that this is being done with the aim of tarnishing the image of Delhi government and spoiling the atmosphere before Chhath Puja. Pravesh Verma said that a day after the ferry service started in Yamuna, the department officials informed him about some people dumping dead fish in the river. He alleged that before the Chhath festival, attempts are being made to create fear and confusion among the devotees through such activities.
Instructions given to register FIR
Taking the matter seriously, Minister Pravesh Verma has instructed the concerned department to register an FIR. He said that the matter will be investigated and it will be found out who is dumping dead fish in the river. He also said that the investigation will find out whether the people involved in this incident have any connection with Aam Aadmi Party workers or not. However, this allegation can be confirmed only after investigation.
Saurabh Bhardwaj has hit back at Pravesh Verma's allegations. He said that the death of fish in Yamuna is due to pollution and the government is making such allegations to avoid its responsibility. Bhardwaj questioned the government that if the fish were deliberately thrown into the river then why the CCTV footage was not being made public. He also raised the demand for investigation into the actual causes of fish death.
'There is an attempt to spoil the atmosphere'
Minister Pravesh Verma alleged that some people were deliberately dumping dead fish in Yamuna to tarnish the image of the Delhi government and spoil the atmosphere before Chhath Puja. He said, “As soon as the ferry service started in Yamuna, officials of our department told that some people are dumping dead fish in the river. Chhath festival is about to come and they are trying to spoil the atmosphere. Arvind Kejriwal has resorted to such petty politics to spoil this atmosphere.” Pravesh Verma further said that he has directed his department to register an FIR and an investigation will be conducted to identify those responsible for it. He said that whether the accused have links with Aam Aadmi Party or not will also be investigated. The truth will be brought before everyone.
Letter written to police to register FIR
In this matter, the Executive Engineer of Irrigation and Flood Control Department of Delhi Government has written a letter to the SHO of Sonia Vihar police station demanding registration of FIR. The letter alleges that some unknown people are deliberately dumping dead fish in the Yamuna river. Its purpose is said to be to tarnish the image of Delhi government. The department has demanded the police to investigate the matter and identify the accused and take strict legal action against them.
Saurabh Bhardwaj's counterattack – Fishes may have died due to polluted water
Aam Aadmi Party leader Saurabh Bhardwaj has raised questions on the government's allegations. He said that the minister is verbally claiming that the dead fish were brought from somewhere else and dumped in the Yamuna, but this is not mentioned in the department's complaint. Bhardwaj said, “Everyone knows that the fishes might have died due to polluted water. Perhaps they are afraid that if there is an investigation, the pollution of Yamuna will be exposed. Should the government get an investigation done as to how thousands of fishes died? Is Minister Pravesh Verma scared of the investigation?” The AAP leader has demanded the government to investigate the reasons behind the death of fish. He says that in this case the situation of river pollution should also come to light.
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