Several people gathered at Delhi's Trilokpuri traffic signal on Sunday morning to protest the lack of water at the nearby Vasundhara Ghat for Chhath Puja rituals. Devotees have been allowed to perform the festival's rites at the ghat after five years, but the absence of water and cleaning has sparked anger. Protesters raised slogans against Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.
Amid police deployment, people gathered at the Trilokpuri traffic signal to voice their grievances. Slogans such as “Chhath Puja ke liye paani do, paani do, Rekha Gupta hosh mein aaa” echoed through the crowd.
Meena (40), one of the protesters, said, “We are on fast… water is very significant for the rituals. They have not even cleaned the ghat.”
Another protester, Kamal Chettri (40), accused the government of making “false promises.” “All the people protesting here have been fasting since the last two days. Every year, at least the ghat was cleaned, but this time nothing has been done, even after they promised grand celebrations (on Chhath),” he said.
Jagriti, whose mother is observing the Chhath fast, expressed agitation over the alleged lack of government response. “Vote lene ke liye toh janta ke pair chune aa jaate hai, aur phir baad mein humari chappal ghiswa dete hai,” she said, recalling how until Covid she had celebrated the festival at the same ghat with “all facilities in place.” “This is a very precious festival of ours,” she added.
Bittu Kumar echoed the concern. “The government has been making announcements since the last 10 days regarding Chhath Puja celebrations. They also deployed JCBs here and installed tents, but where is the water? How can the minister, one day before the festival, come and say that he would not allow water to be released?” he said, showing a video of Delhi minister Kapil Mishra who visited the ghat recently.
Meanwhile, at the ghat, devotees were seen preparing their Chhath ‘sthals,’ using a spade to clear garbage and a broom to clean dust.
“Even if they provide water through tanks, I will be happy. Since Covid, we have been celebrating the festival at our terrace,” another woman said while fixing a bamboo stick at her ‘sthal.’
The Indian Express did not receive a response from Delhi ministers Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Verma.
Chhath celebrations started on October 25 and will conclude on Tuesday.