New Delhi/Alive News: Dead fish were allegedly dumped into the Yamuna River in Delhi ahead of Chhath Puja, triggering a political controversy. Officials of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department have approached the police, seeking an FIR against unidentified persons.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of being behind the incident. He alleged that the act was planned to hurt religious sentiments and damage the image of the BJP-led Delhi government.
Sirsa claimed that AAP leaders, including former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, were hiring people to bring dead fish from markets and record videos near the river. He linked the alleged incident to the recent launch of the ‘Namo Yamuna River Safari’ service.
However, these allegations against AAP have not been independently verified.
Officials Seek Police Action
The controversy began after Somnath Kashyap, an executive engineer in the Irrigation and Flood Control Department, wrote to the Station House Officer of Sonia Vihar police station.
In his complaint, he alleged that unidentified people were dumping dead fish into the river to create controversy ahead of Chhath Puja. He requested the police to register an FIR, investigate the matter and identify those responsible.
Sirsa also claimed that the BJP government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, had achieved 60% progress in cleaning the Yamuna.
Chhath Puja on November 15 and 16
Chhath Puja will be celebrated on November 15 and 16 along the Yamuna. Thousands of devotees are expected to visit the riverbanks to offer prayers to the setting and rising Sun.
The four-day festival is especially popular in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Devotees observe fasts and perform religious rituals as part of the celebrations.
