The Election Commission of India on Tuesday sought factual evidence from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal to substantiate his allegations that the Yamuna River was "poisoned" by neighbouring Haryana, which could have led to "mass genocide" in Delhi. The poll body has asked Kejriwal to provide proof regarding the nature and extent of the chemical allegedly used, its potential to cause mass casualties, and the claim that Delhi Jal Board (DJB) engineers detected and prevented the contamination before it reached the city’s water supply.
The ECI noted that such allegations have serious ramifications of creating enmity between the regional groups, and residents of the neighbouring States, and threat of a law-and-order situation due to actual or perceived shortage or non-availability of water, during this time of the year. It cited various judicial pronouncements and legal provisions that can lead to up to three years imprisonment for mischievous statements against national integration and public harmony.
The Election Commission, in its notice, observed that the issue of increased ammonia levels in the Yamuna was being dealt with separately after considering inputs from the Haryana government. The Commission also underlined the legal provisions and Model Code of Conduct obligations applicable to all stakeholders to maintain the sanctity of the electoral process. It added that such a grave public health matter should have been officially raised by the Delhi government with its Haryana counterpart.
"...as regards the allegations of poisoning, it is expected that there must be a factual foundation to the allegations especially when the veracity of the statements made by you is contested, then you must be able to back your statements on a factual basis," the ECI stated.
The Commission has directed Kejriwal to furnish his response to the complaints, especially on the factual and legal matrix along with evidentiary support thereof by 8 pm on 29th January, 2025 so as to enable the Commission to examine the matter and take action as appropriate
"The matter is being examined by the Commission in the light of provisions of MCC and relevant provisions of law. Therefore, you are called upon to furnish your response on the complaints (Annexure 1 and 2), especially on the factual and legal matrix along with evidentiary support thereof by 20.00 hours on 29th January, 2025 so as to enable the Commission to examine the matter and take action as appropriate," it added.
BJP, Congress Lodge Complaints Over Kejriwal's 'Poisoning Yamuna' Allegations
The development comes after both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress lodged complaints against Kejriwal with the Election Commission, accusing him of making serious and unfounded claims. The Commission has directed Kejriwal to submit his response along with legal and evidentiary support by 8 PM on 29th January.
The BJP, in its complaint, asserted that Kejriwal had failed to provide any evidence for his allegations. "His claim that the Delhi Jal Board engineers discovered attempted poisoning of the Yamuna water at the border area and further alleging that had these poisoned waters reached Delhi's water supply, it would have resulted in mass genocide. Such inflammatory statements made without evidence whatsoever, constitute a severe breach of several electoral and other statutes in addition to electoral ethics," the BJP stated.
The party further contended that these claims could incite public panic, adding, "These allegations are particularly concerning as they involve a matter of public health and safety, potentially causing unnecessary panic among millions of Delhi residents."
Accusing Kejriwal of attempting to create discord between Delhi and Haryana, the BJP called his statements "factually unsubstantiated, mischievous, inflammatory and clearly intended to create unrest among two states of Indian union." The complaint also alleged that his remarks sought to "mislead the voters of Delhi during the ongoing assembly elections, creating unwarranted alarm and influencing electoral outcomes through misinformation."
Similarly, Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, in his complaint to the EC, termed Kejriwal’s statements "shocking and irresponsible." He stated, "For action against Mr. Arvind Kejriwal who made shocking and irresponsible statements to the press yesterday alleging that Delhi's water supply had been 'poisoned' and that the neighbouring state government had planned a 'genocide' against the people of Delhi."
Dikshit criticised Kejriwal for failing to clarify the basis of his allegations, saying, "Neither in their statements have they clarified when the crossing of the PPM (parts per million) threshold could justify calling it 'genocide,' nor have they addressed whether the applicable PPM count in the Yamuna has exceeded the threshold for the first time."
Accusing the AAP chief of fear-mongering, Dikshit added, "He is not talking about pollution and contamination. He is talking about a deliberate act of poisoning. Who knows how many poor people are forced to buy bottled water for consumption today because they have heard their Chief Minister and former Chief Minister make the allegation that the water being supplied to them is being poisoned."