Sun Nov 03 13:23:27 UTC 2024: ## Political Clash Mars Chhath Puja Festivities in Delhi

**New Delhi:** The festive spirit of Chhath Puja in Delhi has been marred by a political clash between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over access to ghats for the festival.

The four-day festival, which started today, is a significant celebration for the Purvanchali community, primarily from Bihar and Jharkhand. Traditionally, devotees gather at designated ghats on the Yamuna and other water bodies to offer prayers to the rising and setting sun.

This year, however, tensions have escalated over the Satpula ghat in south Delhi, a popular spot for Chhath celebrations. The BJP and AAP have accused each other of obstructing access to the ghat, sparking accusations of “anti-Purvanchali” sentiments.

Senior AAP leader and Delhi minister Saurabh Bhardwaj alleged that police, acting on the instructions of BJP leader Bansuri Swaraj, have deliberately barricaded the ghat, preventing poor and Dalit communities from celebrating the festival.

BJP leader Shikha Rai countered these allegations, stating that the DDA-approved group, which has permission to celebrate Chhath, is being denied access to the ghat. She further accused AAP leaders of disrupting construction work and physically assaulting labourers.

The clash comes ahead of the Delhi elections scheduled for February 2024, highlighting the significance of the Purvanchali community’s vote for both parties.

The situation remains tense, with BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj expected to visit the Satpula ghat later today. The ongoing dispute over the ghat underscores the political tensions surrounding the festival and the importance of maintaining communal harmony during this important religious event.

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