Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and local residents protested against loud music being played at a Chhath Puja ghat in Delhi, accusing the BJP of disrupting preparations for the festival. The AAP and the BJP have been sparring over the setup of Chhath ghats in the city, with the ruling party accusing the DDA, controlled by the BJP, of obstructing access to ghats. The dispute has centered around the Satpula ghat, where AAP leaders allege BJP representatives have disrupted preparations, leading to a political clash.
Chhath Puja Ghat Dispute in Delhi: A Clash between AAP and BJP
Background
Chhath Puja, a popular festival celebrated in North India, is observed with great reverence in Delhi. Chhath ghats, where devotees gather to offer prayers to the Sun God, are set up across the city for the festival. However, preparations for the festival this year have been marred by a dispute between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Current Dispute
On October 27, 2022, Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and local residents protested against loud music being played at the Chhath Saraiya Ghat in East Delhi. They accused the BJP of disrupting preparations for the festival by playing loud music and using the ghat for political gatherings.
The dispute escalated into a political clash, with AAP leaders alleging that BJP representatives had obstructed preparations at the Satpula ghat. The BJP, on the other hand, denied the allegations and accused the AAP of politicizing the issue.
Historical Context
The dispute over Chhath ghats in Delhi is not new. In 2019, the AAP had accused the BJP-controlled Delhi Development Authority (DDA) of delaying the allocation of ghats, leading to last-minute scramble for space. This year's dispute follows a similar pattern, with the AAP accusing the DDA of creating hurdles in the setup of ghats.
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