Delhi: AAP-BJP Clash Over Chhath Puja Ghats Intensifies As Both Accuse Each Other Of 'Anti-Purvanchali' Stance

Delhi News: A political clash between the AAP and the BJP erupted over the setup of ghats for the Chhath Puja festival, sparking accusations of disrespect towards the Purvanchali community.

File Photo of Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj and BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj

Source : PTI

On the four-day Chhath Puja in Delhi, a political clash between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) escalated over the setup of ghats for devotees. The festival, predominantly celebrated by people from Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh, has led to both parties accusing each other of disrespecting the Purvanchali community.

The dispute centres around the Satpula ghat in south Delhi, a traditional site for Chhath Puja, where AAP leaders allege that BJP representatives have disrupted preparations.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh claimed, "The BJP is a party opposed to people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh," noting his recent protest in Greater Kailash against what he described as the “demolition of a Chhath ghat” by a BJP corporator, news agency IANS reported. He credited the AAP government with a tenfold increase in ghats over the last decade, asserting that they are committed to facilitating Chhath Puja for those unable to travel home. He added that AAP workers would communicate these efforts to residents during Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s ongoing padyatra across Delhi.

Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj also accused the BJP-controlled Delhi Development Authority (DDA) of obstructing access to ghats, claiming that the DDA had “blocked a path used by Dalit villagers for Chhath Puja.” 

"On the orders of the BJP, the Delhi Police has turned Chhath Puja into a cantonment, barricades have been put up all around and are stopping people from celebrating Chhath Puja. They have no jurisdiction to stop Chhath Puja. The Delhi government has been conducting the puja here for the last eight years and these people have turned it into a cantonment only at the behest of the BJP. BJP members went to occupy the Chhath Ghat at ITO this morning and the Chhath Puja committee chased them away from there as well. And here too, the BJP is doing the same dirty politics," he told ANI.

#WATCH | Delhi Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj says, "On the orders of the BJP, the Delhi Police has turned Chhath Puja into a cantonment, barricades have been put up all around and are stopping people from celebrating Chhath Puja. They have no jurisdiction to stop Chhath Puja. The… pic.twitter.com/jy0hf6NdD6

— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2024

The DDA clarified that a 6,000-square-metre area had been designated for Chhath Puja at Satpula lake. However, Shikha Rai, a BJP leader, claimed AAP workers interfered with preparations at the site, alleging that they imposed restrictions on residents and BJP volunteers attempting to clean the ghat. According to IANS, Rai stated, “Chhath Puja has been celebrated here for the last 16 years, yet AAP workers have repeatedly occupied the area days before the festival and imposed arbitrary rules.” 

Delhi BJP Alleges AAP 'Hooliganism' Over Chhath Ghat Construction

Delhi BJP shared a video on social media wherein a man accused AAP leaders of "hooliganism," alleging disruptions by Greater Kailash MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj. "@SanjayAzadSln ji and @Saurabh_MLAgk ji, why does AAP have so much hatred for the Purvanchali community? When the committee members made an official booking and obtained permission from DDA on 23 September 2024 to hold Chhath Puja... why are they being harassed in this manner? Why are you, along with your goons, preventing the construction of the Chhath ghat? Stop this hooliganism and come join in the grand celebration of Chhath, a festival of devotion. Let’s celebrate this sacred festival with joy!" the Delhi BJP posted.

.@SanjayAzadSln जी और @Saurabh_MLAgk जी, AAP को इतनी नफ़रत क्यों है पूर्वांचल समाज से??

जब छठ पूजा करने के लिए समिति के लोगों ने 23 सितंबर 2024 को बाक़ायदा बुकिंग करवाकर DDA से परमिशन लिया है…फिर ऐसी गुंडागर्दी करके क्यों उन्हें परेशान कर रहे हैं? क्यों आप अपने गुंडों के साथ छठ… https://t.co/I9zWdxzgCA pic.twitter.com/cfXxFCRM8Z

— BJP Delhi (@BJP4Delhi) November 3, 2024

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj assured Purvanchali women that the festival would proceed despite AAP’s purported obstructions. "We will celebrate this Chhath festival with our mothers and sisters of Purvanchal. @Saurabh_MLAgk ji, despite your opposition and obstacles, we will observe this grand festival with full devotion. Today, I inspected Chirag Delhi village and initiated the cleaning and excavation of the ghat dedicated to Chhath Puja. In respect for our mothers and sisters, please refrain from spreading lies among the public and rise above politics. Take the blessings of Chhathi Maiya for this religious event and be a part of this sacred celebration," she posted on X sharing a video of her protest.

यह छठ पर्व तो हम अपनी पूर्वांचली माताओं और बहनों के साथ मनाकर रहेंगे।@Saurabh_MLAgk जी, आपके विरोध और अड़चनों के बावजूद भी हम इस भव्य पर्व को संपूर्ण श्रद्धा के साथ मनाएँगे। आज मैंने चिराग दिल्ली गाँव में निरीक्षण किया और छठ पूजा के लिए समर्पित घाट की सफाई एवं खुदाई शुरू करवाई… pic.twitter.com/wD11HuE498

— Bansuri Swaraj (@BansuriSwaraj) November 3, 2024

Earlier on Saturday, Chief Minister Atishi also took to social media, criticising the BJP for allegedly using the DDA to prevent the ghat setup at Satpula Park. “Such petty politics will not be tolerated,” she remarked, accusing the BJP of trying to limit opportunities for the Purvanchali community to observe the festival. Atishi’s comments came as part of the wider tension building up towards the Delhi Assembly elections, with Purvanchali voters representing a key demographic.

भाजपा पूर्वांचलियों से नफ़रत करती है। इनकी राजनीति का स्तर इतना गिर गया है कि ये, ग्रेटर कैलाश में DDA के माध्यम से छठ घाट पर रोक लगा रहे है।

आस्था के महापर्व छठ को लेकर ऐसी ओछी राजनीति बर्दाश्त नहीं होगी, भाजपा को इसका खामियाजा उठाना पड़ेगा। https://t.co/hPXr0RTrcD

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) November 2, 2024

With both parties mobilising public support and exchanging sharp criticism, the issue has spotlighted the importance of Purvanchali voters in Delhi’s political landscape ahead of assembly polls next year, as both AAP and BJP are eyeing electoral backing from the community.