Durga Puja Disruptions in CR Park: AAP Slams BJP for 'Political Bias'
AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj accuses the BJP government of bias after water tanker delays and police action during Durga Puja in CR Park.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government, alleging "political bias" and deliberate disruptions during the Durga Puja festivities in Chittaranjan (CR) Park. AAP Delhi President Saurabh Bhardwaj claimed that the authorities targeted the Bengali community, leading to chaos during one of the most sacred parts of the festival—the immersion of the idols.
The Water Tanker Crisis
Central to the controversy is the failure of the Delhi Jal Board to provide water tankers on time for the eco-friendly artificial immersion pits. Bhardwaj noted that for 11 years, the AAP had ensured smooth celebrations and had pioneered the shift toward artificial immersion to protect the environment. However, he alleged that this year, the government displayed blatant bias.
"I got calls from members of the Bengali community that hundreds of elderly people, women, and children were standing around, and the immersion couldn't happen because the Delhi Jal Board didn't provide water," Bhardwaj stated.
The AAP leader further claimed that the water tankers only arrived after he took to social media to highlight the issue, suggesting that the government only acted under public pressure.
Police Interference and Strict Deadlines
Beyond the logistical failures, Bhardwaj raised serious concerns regarding the conduct of the police. He alleged that the authorities enforced strict deadlines that were not typical of previous years, specifically mentioning that Puja and Ramleela celebrations usually continued until midnight.
According to Bhardwaj, police officers forcefully entered the venue and went as far as cutting wires to shut down the festivities. He demanded that the government provide a clear explanation for these two major incidents involving the Bengali community.
Organisers Forced to Pay Out-of-Pocket
The grievances were echoed by the organisers on the ground. Tarun Chakraborty, a member of the Durga Puja Samiti and the CR Park Mela Ground Committee, explained that they had adopted the government's suggestion to create temporary, eco-friendly pits at the pandal site instead of traveling to Kalindi Kunj.
Despite following these sustainable measures, the promised government water tankers failed to arrive. Chakraborty revealed that the organisers were forced to arrange and pay for private water tankers out of their own pockets to ensure the immersion could take place. He noted that the delay pushed the process late into the night, which was particularly difficult as the following day was a working day.
Police Response: Noise Pollution Rules
Addressing the allegations of harassment and obstruction, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for South Delhi rejected the claims. The police official stated that their intervention was not intended to disrupt the festivities but was a necessary step to enforce court-mandated rules regarding noise pollution.