Congress Vows to Host Grand Chhath Mahaparv at Yamuna's Banks if Elected in Delhi
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New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) Rajya Sabha MP and Bihar PCC chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh announced on Friday that in recognition of the devotion of the Purvanchal community towards the Chhath festival, the Congress party has committed to organizing the Chhath Mahaparv on a scale comparable to the Maha Kumbh, thus establishing it as the most significant Chhath celebration worldwide.
A substantial area along the banks of the Yamuna River will be designated as a district named Sharda Sinha Ghat. This initiative will be implemented if the party secures victory in the upcoming Assembly elections in Delhi, Singh declared.
Singh highlighted that although Purvanchal has significantly contributed to the progress of Delhi, this has been largely ignored by parties such as BJP and AAP, who primarily regard them as mere votes.
He expressed profound dissatisfaction with how the Purvanchali community was treated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"When the thirst for power rises, Purvanchal is recalled," he stated, noting that despite the community's struggles during the pandemic, they were left to fend for themselves. Singh also pointed out that during the Chhath festival, while individuals sought solace in the holy waters of the Yamuna, both BJP and AAP harmed their sentiments by imposing restrictions.
He raised pressing concerns regarding the pollution levels in the Yamuna River during the festival.
"During the sacred festival, when we bathed in the Yamuna, it was filled with waste and pollutants," he lamented.
Singh stated that the government's inability to tackle this pollution directly jeopardizes the health of those participating in the festival.
He mentioned that a ban on Chhath Puja had been enforced, and although it was contested in court, the High Court upheld the ban due to water pollution concerns.
Shifting his attention to the living conditions of Purvanchali migrants in Delhi, Singh emphasized the dire conditions in the city's 1,797 unauthorized colonies where many Purvanchalis reside.
These communities, he explained, face harsh living conditions, including rainwater flooding their homes, scarcity of clean drinking water in summer, and scant job opportunities. Singh criticized the indifference of authorities towards their situation.
The Congress MP denounced the BJP and AAP leaders for their "derogatory" comments regarding the Purvanchali community.
He noted that BJP President J.P. Nadda had likened Purvanchalis to Rohingyas and infiltrators, while former Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal accused them of casting fraudulent votes.
"Are the individuals from Purvanchal fake?" Singh questioned. He urged for a more significant emphasis on enhancing the lives of Purvanchalis and ensuring their voices resonate in political discussions.
