Amid a sweltering summer and worsening water crisis, Delhi’s women are taking to the streets in rage. On Thursday, led by AAP Mahila Wing’s Delhi State President Sarika Chaudhary, hundreds of local women in Bawana smashed pots in protest — a symbolic act against the BJP government’s failure to provide even the most basic necessity: water. Shouting slogans against Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the protesters demanded immediate relief for Delhi’s parched citizens. The message was loud and clear: “Give water to Delhi’s thirsty people.”
“The BJP government has completely failed to quench Delhi’s thirst,” declared Sarika Chaudhary. “The whole city is battling a water crisis while the BJP sleeps. Their apathy is criminal.” As the crisis spirals, the political heat is rising — and it is Delhi’s women who are leading the charge.
Expressing their anger and despair over the severe water and electricity crisis under the BJP government in Delhi, AAP Mahila Wing President Sarika Chaudhary said the so-called “four-engine” BJP government has completely failed to provide basic amenities like water and electricity to the people of Delhi. “Since the BJP came to power, there has been no water. We women are crying blood for water. There is no electricity either. With Mohalla Clinics shut down, we are forced to travel far for medical care. If CM Rekha Gupta cannot handle the government, she should resign,” she said.
She highlighted that the Begampur area under Bawana Assembly, which includes 27 wards and over 90,000 residents, is facing a catastrophic water shortage. “There is absolutely no water supply, and even the tanker services are insufficient. Each tanker should ideally make five to six rounds, but it only comes once, leaving most people without water.”
Sarika Chaudhary further said that in the three months of Rekha Gupta’s government, neither water nor electricity issues have been resolved. “They promised women ₹2,500 and free gas cylinders, but even that was a lie. Local women are in deep distress. There is no sleep at night due to frequent power cuts. Not a drop of water reaches our homes. What are we supposed to do with empty pots? It’s better to break them. That’s why the women have united to smash the pots – because not a single drop remains in them.”
Women at the protest expressed how life has become unbearable with small children at home. “Even light rain or wind results in four-day-long blackouts. This never used to happen. Earlier, power was restored even during storms. Now, no one responds even after repeated calls.”
Women also shared their frustration with the inaccessibility of the Chief Minister. “We tried to approach CM Rekha Gupta with our complaints, but her party workers chase us away like dogs. We stand in long lines for tankers, yet don’t get drinking water. Even the free bus service is slowly being dismantled. Now they’re talking about passes and fares. Earlier, things were free. Now everything has changed.”
“We would give Arvind Kejriwal 10 out of 10, but Rekha Gupta deserves a zero,” the women said. “Our children’s education is suffering. School fees have increased. It’s hard to even manage meals. One woman shared that after her surgery, she has to travel to Ambedkar Hospital every day. Earlier, medicines were easily available at the Mohalla Clinics. Now those clinics are shut – no doctors, no medicines. Rekha Gupta’s government is leaving the poor to die.”
The women said they never imagined things would become this bad. “We now realise voting for Rekha Gupta was a huge mistake. Modi ji and his government are nothing but jumlebaaz. The tanker mafia is running wild – they don’t even make rounds properly and just drive by. In this scorching summer, we can’t even get a drop of water. In 100 days, Rekha Gupta’s government hasn’t improved anything. On the contrary, it has removed the facilities we used to have. Even the promise of ₹2,500 for women has turned out to be a cruel joke.”
They demanded that Rekha Gupta resign from the CM post, saying she has completely failed to govern Delhi. “Despite BJP governments in Delhi, Haryana, and at the Centre, the water crisis remains unresolved. Life without water is impossible – from morning to night, every task needs water. The BJP has left Delhi’s people parched. Smashing these pots is our attempt to make Rekha Gupta open her eyes and understand our pain.”
They added, “Delhi voted for BJP, elected their MLAs, but all we’ve received in return is suffering. We don’t even have access to basic needs like water and electricity. The tanker mafia’s dominance and lack of government tankers have made things worse. Women are the most impacted – handling homes and children without water is a nightmare. Preparing tiffin, sending children to school – everything is falling apart. Rekha Gupta’s 100 days have brought nothing but disappointment.”
“When Arvind Kejriwal was in power, electricity never went off, not even for a minute. Water supply was regular, and tankers arrived on time. Now, tankers come once in a week or two, and even then, they don’t meet our needs. Rekha Gupta made tall promises before the elections about transforming Delhi, but today people are suffering due to water, electricity, and sewer problems. Homes are being demolished, which has angered the poor. Rekha Gupta must stop hiding in Shalimar Bagh and come to listen to the public directly.”
