As large parts of Delhi reel under a severe water shortage, hundreds of women led by AAP Mahila Wing President Sarika Chaudhary staged a matka phod protest in Mangolpuri on Monday, pointing out to the BJP government of gross negligence. The protestors demanded immediate access to clean drinking water and held CM Rekha Gupta directly responsible.
“The people of Delhi are dying of thirst while Chief Minister Rekha Gupta relaxes in her air-conditioned chambers,” said Sarika Chaudhary, adding, “In just 100 days, the BJP government has failed the people. There’s no water in the taps, and clearly no shame in the BJP.” She warned that the crisis had engulfed the entire city, with desperate citizens suffering in every neighbourhood since the BJP came to power.
Under the leadership of AAP Mahila Wing President Sarika Chaudhary, hundreds of local women gathered in Mangolpuri to raise their voices against the worsening water crisis in the area. Women from every lane, accompanied by municipal councillor Rakesh Jatav, shared their lived experiences of extreme scarcity, saying they receive filthy water for just two hours a day—hardly sufficient for even the most basic needs.
AAP Mahila Wing President Sarika Chaudhary stated, “There is no clean drinking water. People can’t wash their clothes, go to work, or even plan their daily lives, as there is no fixed schedule for water supply,” said Sarika Chaudhary. “Ever since Rekha Gupta’s BJP government took charge in Delhi, the water situation has deteriorated drastically. We’ve visited multiple constituencies and everywhere, women are saying the same thing—Delhi is parched.”
Sarika Chaudhary also strongly criticised BJP MLA Rajkumar Chauhan, a former minister and multiple-term legislator, calling him a failure despite his political experience. “He has failed to provide even the most basic necessities—water and electricity. He lied to the people, promising LPG cylinders that never came. Women were deceived with false promises. Now, electricity bills have shot up to ₹8,000–₹10,000 for households that earn only ₹10,000–₹15,000 a month. How can anyone survive like this?” she asked.
Water bills are now also being imposed, and even the free bus travel scheme for women is on the verge of being scrapped. In just three months of this BJP government, women have been forced to take to the streets. Slums are being demolished, adding to the hardships of already struggling communities.
The women participating in the protest lambasted the insensitivity of the BJP government. “It seems the BJP’s empathy has dried up just like the taps in our homes. The people of Delhi are desperate for every drop of water, while Chief Minister Rekha Gupta lounges in her air-conditioned rooms,” they said.
They highlighted how under Arvind Kejriwal’s government, Delhi enjoyed uninterrupted power supply and clean water throughout the day. “Now, we get power cuts and dirty water. The contrast is stark. We appeal to Kejriwal to come back—Delhi, especially its women, are yearning for him. Modi’s term is over; he should hand over Delhi back to Arvind Kejriwal. Running a nation is clearly beyond him.”
The women declared that India needs an educated and competent leader—Arvind Kejriwal. “Five years from now, the BJP will be thrown out of Delhi just like last time. They may have returned once, but they’ll never come back for the next 70 years,” they said.
They also called out CM Rekha Gupta, saying that despite being a woman, she has failed to understand the pain of Delhi’s women. “The kitchen is the most essential space in a woman’s life, and the water crisis has made survival unbearable. Every single promise Rekha Gupta made during elections has turned out to be a lie. We demand she resign immediately and hand over the reins to Arvind Kejriwal.”
Women shared how their sleep is disrupted nightly as they wait until 2–3 AM, hoping the motor will draw water—but often, none comes. “Dirty water is making our families sick. Private school fees in Mangolpuri have gone up, affecting our children’s education. Our electricity bills are now ₹6,000 out of a ₹10,000 income—impossible to manage. Under Kejriwal, our bills were zero. We managed everything within ₹10,000. Now, we’re crying—how are we supposed to survive?”
The Aam Aadmi Party’s Mahila Wing pledged to continue its protests and public outreach until the BJP government is held accountable for failing Delhi’s women.
