The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday issued a response to AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, urging him not to mix the issue of increased ammonia levels in the Yamuna River with his serious allegations of the river being “poisoned,” a claim he likened to an act of war. The ECI has given Kejriwal an opportunity to explain why action should not be taken against him for making statements that could potentially fuel disharmony, promote enmity between different groups, and disrupt public order.
The Commission specifically asked Kejriwal to separate the issue of ammonia levels from his claim of poisoning and to provide clear, factual evidence. He was asked to submit specific details regarding the type, quantity, and manner of poisoning, as well as information about the engineers involved, the location, and the methodology used by the Delhi Jal Board to detect the alleged poisoning. Kejriwal was given until Friday at 11 am to respond, or the Commission would proceed with further action.
The Election Commission also stressed that access to clean and sufficient water is a governance issue, one that requires ongoing cooperation among all relevant governments. It reiterated that no dispute should exist regarding this basic need, and that the ECI would refrain from intervening in long-standing water-sharing and pollution matters, particularly those governed by Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal rulings.
Kejriwal had previously responded to the ECI’s inquiry about his remarks on “poisoned water” from the Yamuna, which he claimed was being contaminated by the Haryana government. In his response, Kejriwal argued that his comments were made in the public interest, highlighting the severe toxicity and contamination of water from Haryana, which he described as a direct threat to public health.
Both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress had lodged complaints with the Election Commission, accusing Kejriwal of making false and defamatory allegations.