In a dramatic turn of events that highlights both political theatrics and environmental concerns, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva found himself in the hospital after taking a protest dip in the notoriously polluted Yamuna River. What started as a political statement quickly turned into a health concern, as Sachdeva developed skin rashes and breathing difficulties following his Thursday demonstration near ITO.
The incident has sparked a heated debate about the state of Delhi’s iconic river and the accountability for its cleanup. Doctors at RML Hospital examined Sachdeva and prescribed a three-day course of medication to treat his symptoms, underscoring the severe pollution levels in the water body.
Before his impromptu swim, Sachdeva had thrown down the gauntlet to AAP leaders, specifically challenging Chief Minister Atishi and former CM Arvind Kejriwal to witness the river’s condition firsthand. In a theatrical gesture, he even arranged a red carpet and chairs at the riverbank, taking a pointed jab at what he called the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ lifestyle of his political opponents.
“We’ve set up two chairs, following Atishi’s tradition,” Sachdeva had remarked with evident sarcasm. “And while Kejriwal is out on bail, he’s welcome to join us – after all, he was Delhi’s chief minister.”
At the heart of this political drama lies a serious accusation: the alleged mismanagement of ₹8,500 crores provided by the Central government for Yamuna cleanup efforts. The BJP has been particularly vocal about Kejriwal’s unfulfilled promise to clean the river by 2025.
However, the AAP administration isn’t taking these accusations lying down. Environment Minister Gopal Rai dismissed the incident as political theater, accusing the BJP of “creating drama” and exploiting Delhi’s pollution crisis for political gain.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the Yamuna’s deteriorating condition and the ongoing political battle over environmental responsibility in the capital. While politicians trade barbs, the river’s toxic waters continue to pose a serious health risk to Delhi’s residents – a fact now personally experienced by one of the city’s prominent political figures.
This episode adds another chapter to Delhi’s long-running environmental crisis, where political point-scoring often overshadows the urgent need for effective action to clean up one of India’s most polluted rivers.
