Minister of AAP Atishi and others hospitalised during hunger strike over water scarcity in Delhi

Delhi Minister Atishi was hospitalized on the fifth day of her hunger strike against Haryana for withholding water. The AAP claims Haryana is supplying 100 MGD less water daily, affecting 28 lakh Delhi residents amid a severe summer water crisis.

But in a dramatic turn of event, Delhi Minister Atishi who was on a fast began vomiting on fifth day and had to be admitted in Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital on Tuesday morning. The AAP leader has been demanding that the Haryana government should provide water to Delhi as the national capital is facing acute water scarcity. 

Atishi, the Member of Delhi’s Legislative Assembly and the Water Minister of Delhi initiated an indefinite hunger strike on June 22, 2017 for water demand from Haryana to release 100 MGD water claiming that it is the right share of Delhi. The AAP has accused the Haryana government of cutting the water supply by 100 MGD that has affected approximately 28 lakh people of Delhi. 

According to the AAP press release, the doctors advised that Atishi should be taken to the hospital as the check-up results indicated very low blood pressure and sugar level. But from the medical viewpoint, the party stated that Atishi is prepared to extend her fast for water rights in Delhi for her life. 

Delhi has long been suffering from water scarcity even more so during summer season and heat waves. The residents have further complained that some of them have been compelled to source for water from water tankers. 

The AAP government claimed that Atishi will continue her fast until the Haryana government understands Delhi’s rights over water and opens the Hathnikund Barrage gates. This conflict between the two neighboring countries is one of the examples of future that are inherent to the management of water resources and its share. 

Also Read: Crisis Deepens As Delhi Suffers Major Water Shortage in Summer; AAP and BJP on War Footing

As time goes by, the people are not only concerned with Atishi’s well-being, but also with what else might happen to Delhi if they run out of water. Once again it has brought into focus the question of distribution of water between diverse states and the need for water management in the developing urban centres of India.