Delhi BJP chief takes dip in toxic Yamuna in protest against AAP, hospitalised

Virendra Sachdeva was suffering from severe itching and breathing difficulties after taking a dip in the toxic Yamuna River.

In Short

• Virendra Sachdeva suffers severe itching, breathing issues
• He took a dip in Yamuna, protesting AAP's 'failure' to clean it
• AAP blames BJP-ruled states for Yamuna pollution

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva was hospitalised after taking a dip in the heavily polluted Yamuna River. The act was a protest against the Delhi government's alleged failure to fulfil its promise of cleaning the river by 2025.

Sachdeva, who fell ill on Thursday, is currently admitted to Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, suffering from severe itching and breathing difficulties. According to a party statement, he took the dip to "seek forgiveness" for the Delhi government's "corruption" in misusing funds allocated for river cleaning.

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, a senior AAP leader, criticised the BJP's "drama" and accused the party's governments in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana of polluting the Yamuna with untreated industrial wastewater.

On Wednesday, Sachdeva had challenged Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to take a dip in the river, reminding him of the 2025 cleaning pledge.

The Yamuna's pollution has worsened, with a thick layer of toxic froth covering the river. This froth, containing harmful chemicals, poses significant health risks, including respiratory problems and skin irritations. Water treatment plants in Delhi have also been affected due to high ammonia levels. The situation is particularly concerning as the Hindu festival of Chhath Puja approaches, during which devotees traditionally take a dip in the river.

The BJP, on Thursday, also set up a stage at the Yamuna's Chhath Ghat with two chairs for Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and her predecessor Arvind Kejriwal to remind them of the AAP's promise to clean the river.