In a bold and unyielding stand for justice, Delhi Water Minister Atishi has embarked on an indefinite hunger strike, demanding that Delhiites receive their rightful share of water. On Sunday, the third day of her hunger strike, Minister Atishi delivered a message to the people of Delhi: her fast will not cease until the Haryana government releases the city’s water from the Hathnikund Barrage. This is more than a plea—it is a declaration that the fight for Delhi’s water is far from over.
In her message, Water Minister Atishi said, “Today is the third day of my indefinite fast. I am on this fast because there is a huge water crisis in Delhi. There is a huge shortage of water in Delhi. Delhi does not have its own water, all the water here comes from neighboring states. Delhi needs a total of 1,005 MGD of water, out of which 613 million gallons of water comes from Haryana.
“But for the last 3 weeks, Haryana has reduced the supply of water. Haryana is only sending 513 MGD of water. Haryana is releasing 100 million gallons less water per day. One MGD fulfils the water needs of 28,500 people. That means when Haryana is releasing 100 MGD less water, 28 lakh people of Delhi are not getting water,” the Delhi Water Minister mentioned.
Minister Atishi further added that the Haryana government says that they do not have water, so from where will they give water to Delhi? But yesterday when many journalists went to Hathnikund Barrage, from where water is released for Delhi, everyone took photos and made videos in which it is clearly visible that there is water in Hathnikund Barrage, which is full of water. But the gate from which water is released for Delhi has been closed and water is not being released.
“I request the Haryana government with folded hands to open the gates of Hathnikund Barrage. Release the water of the people of Delhi. Delhiites should get the water they are entitled to. Till the Haryana government does not give the water they are entitled to, till the gates of Hathnikund Barrage are not opened, this indefinite hunger strike will continue,” Minister Atishi concluded.
