Arvind Kejriwal replies to Election Commission, says ‘Yamuna poisoning’ remark made in public interest

Arvind Kejriwal defended his remarks on Haryana's water contamination. He said high ammonia levels in the water present significant health risks.

Arvind Kejriwal on Yamuna water: Arvind Kejriwal of the Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday replied to the Election Commission of India's notice over his claim that the Haryana government was “mixing poison” in Yamuna river, and said raw water received from the state recently has been “highly contaminated and extremely poisonous” for human health.

Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal addressing a press conference in New Delhi. (HT Photo)

In his reply to the poll panel, the former Delhi chief minister also said he made the comments in the context of an "urgent public health crisis" over drinking water quality in the national capital.

In the 14-page reply to the ECI, Arvind Kejriwal said the “alleged statements” attributed to him were made as his public duty to highlight the “severe toxicity and contamination” of raw water received from the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Haryana.

Following a complaint filed by the BJP over the matter, the poll panel had issued the notice to Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday, giving him time till Wednesday 8pm to furnish his reply.

'Ammonia level in raw water received from Haryana was extreme'

Kejriwal also said the ammonia level in raw water received from Haryana was so “extreme” that water treatment plants in Delhi are unable to process it down to safe and permissible limits for human consumption.

"Statements were made in furtherance of an imperative public duty to highlight the severe toxicity and contamination of raw water received from Haryana, which presents an imminent and direct threat to public health," the letter signed by Arvind Kejriwal read.

Earlier in the week, the Delhi Jal Board chief executive officer (CEO) wrote a letter to the chief secretary refuting Kejriwal's claims while calling them “factually incorrect”. However, Kejriwal, in his response to ECI, used the ammonia level table mentioned in the CEO's letter to further establish his claims.

Concerns raised not be interpreted as offence: Kejriwal

In his letter, Kejriwal stated that the concerns raised should not be interpreted as an offence, as it would set a dangerous precedent that would undermine state accountability.

"It is impermissible, both legally and constitutionally, to criminalize the act of highlighting governmental lapses in ensuring the availability of safe water for the residents of Delhi. If raising legitimate concerns regarding a fundamental civic necessity - such as access to uncontaminated water - is misconstrued as an offence, it would set a dangerous precedent that undermines state accountability and erodes the very fabric of responsible governance," the letter further read.

The AAP leader also mentioned the health hazards that can be triggered by high levels of ammonia in water, including liver and kidney dysfunction, neurological impairment, and encephalopathy.