Yamuna Politics Heats Up | AAP, BJP Clash Over ‘Fake’ Froth-Free River Ahead of Chhath Puja

As Delhi celebrates Chhath Puja, one of the most sacred Hindu festivals dedicated to the Sun God, a new political storm has erupted over the clean appearance of the Yamuna River. For the first time in years, the river appeared visibly froth-free, sparking a war of words between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The AAP has accused the BJP-led Delhi government under Chief Minister Rekha Gupta of staging a “cosmetic clean-up” ahead of the festival. The party alleged that the apparent cleanliness was not a result of real environmental improvement but of temporary chemical treatments to suppress the toxic foam that typically covers the river during this season.

“It’s just a cosmetic solution,” stated AAP representatives, adding that despite the froth-free visuals, fecal coliform levels and other pollution indicators remain dangerously high. According to AAP, the government has merely masked the symptoms of pollution rather than addressing its root causes — untreated sewage discharge and industrial waste.

On the other hand, BJP officials defended their efforts, claiming that chemical defoamers, river skimming, and improved waste filtration systems were part of an ongoing cleanliness initiative. They argued that the focus was to provide safe, clean ghats for devotees observing the Chhath rituals, particularly in areas like Kalindi Kunj, ITO, and Wazirabad.

The controversy intensified after AAP alleged that a “fake” ghat had been created using filtered water for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit. The claim added political fuel to what was meant to be a cultural celebration, turning the festival into yet another flashpoint in Delhi’s BJP–AAP rivalry.

Environmental experts, meanwhile, have pointed out that while the visible froth may have reduced, long-term sustainability requires systemic sewage treatment, industrial regulation, and improved wastewater management. Short-term measures, they warn, do not resolve the Yamuna’s decades-old contamination crisis.

As the Chhath festivities continue, the debate over the real state of the Yamuna underscores Delhi’s larger struggle with pollution and governance accountability. Whether this year’s cleaner visuals represent genuine progress or political posturing remains a matter of contention — but it has undeniably placed Yamuna’s health back in the spotlight.