The Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued a stern warning to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, demanding detailed clarification regarding his explosive allegations that the Haryana government has been deliberately poisoning the Yamuna River, which supplies water to Delhi. The Commission has given Kejriwal until 11 a.m, January 31, 2025, to respond with irrefutable evidence of the alleged poisoning. Failing to comply, the ECI warned it will initiate appropriate disciplinary action.
The controversy erupted during the high-stakes election campaign for Delhi, where Kejriwal, the AAP National Convener, accused the Haryana government of mixing “poison” into the Yamuna with the intention of causing a “genocide” in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. The claim, which has sparked outrage across political lines, was couched in alarming rhetoric, equating the alleged act to an “act of war between nations.”
In its letter to Kejriwal, the ECI expressed its dissatisfaction with the Chief Minister’s earlier response to its notice, accusing him of failing to address the core issue of his claims about the poisoning of the Yamuna. Instead of providing specific evidence, Kejriwal’s initial reply cited the presence of high ammonia levels in the river—a well-known environmental concern—but failed to substantiate his grave allegations of deliberate poisoning. The Election Commission has now issued a hard-hitting directive, giving Kejriwal a final chance to clarify and prove the veracity of his shocking accusations.
The Election Commission in its letter, pointed out that Kejriwal’s previous response “did not adequately address the nature or substance of his statement about the alleged poisoning of the Yamuna.” The Commission demanded that Kejriwal answer several pointed questions to substantiate his inflammatory claim.
The ECI has outlined a list of explicit demands, making it clear that any failure to comply with its instructions will result in swift action:
Type of Poison: Kejriwal has been asked to specify the nature of the poison allegedly introduced into the Yamuna by the Haryana government. The ECI wants to know what specific toxic substance was allegedly used and how it could have posed such a deadly threat.
Proof of Quantity and Detection: The Commission is requesting detailed evidence regarding the quantity of the poison, the manner in which it was detected, and the scientific methods used to ascertain its presence. This is crucial, as Kejriwal’s statement that the poisoning could have led to genocide raises serious public health concerns.
Location and Methodology of Detection: Kejriwal must identify the exact locations where the poison was allegedly detected. The ECI also demands a detailed account of how the Delhi Jal Board engineers identified the poisoned water and the methods they used to prevent it from entering Delhi.
Engineers Involved: Kejriwal must name the Delhi Jal Board engineers who purportedly identified and dealt with the poisoned water. The Commission seeks information about their roles, qualifications, and the specific procedures they followed to stop the poisonous water from flowing into the capital.
The ECI’s letter emphasised that while ammonia levels in the Yamuna had indeed been high, this should not be conflated with Kejriwal’s serious claims of intentional poisoning. The Commission reminded Kejriwal that this issue of water contamination was being dealt with separately by the Haryana government and that his claims had moved far beyond the established concerns of ammonia levels.
Kejriwal’s remarks have ignited political backlash. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lodged formal complaint with the Election Commission, accusing the Delhi Chief Minister of spreading fear and misinformation. The BJP, in particular, has refuted the claims of poisoning, accusing Kejriwal of playing politics with public safety and using baseless allegations to whip up panic in an already volatile election environment.
Haryana’s BJP-led government has denied any deliberate attempt to poison the river, insisting that any rise in ammonia levels was a natural result of pollution and water management issues, not a premeditated act. The Congress, too, has taken Kejriwal to task, calling his statements “irresponsible” and “divisive.”
The ECI’s Concern: Public Harmony and Legal Boundaries
The Election Commission has also expressed concern about the broader implications of Kejriwal’s statements, warning that they could promote “disharmony and enmity” between Delhi and Haryana. The Commission stressed that Kejriwal’s claims about “genocide” had the potential to create lasting divisions between the residents of the two states, further deepening the divide between them and risking the eruption of public disorder.
The ECI has reminded Kejriwal that matters relating to water pollution, especially issues related to ammonia levels in the Yamuna River, are already under judicial review. Legal directives from the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal have been put in place to address these concerns, and the ECI has refrained from intervening in matters of water-sharing and pollution disputes during the election period.
In its letter, the ECI reinforced that the availability of clean water is a fundamental governance issue and that all governments, regardless of political affiliation, should work together to ensure public health and safety. The Commission has expressed its reluctance to arbitrate on the long-standing water-sharing issues between Delhi and Haryana, highlighting that such disputes are better suited to the jurisdiction of the judiciary.
Earlier, Delhi Jal Board CEO Shilpa Shinde wrote to the Chief Secretary on January 27, stating that statements made by AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal were “factually incorrect” and misleading. She expressed concern that such false claims could cause fear among residents and harm relations with Haryana. Shinde urged the Chief Secretary to bring the matter to the attention of Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena.
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