Delhi water crisis: AAP Minister Atishi ends hunger strike following hospitalisation

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh said on Tuesday (June 25) that Delhi's Water Minister Atishi ended her hunger strike following her hospitalisation as her healthdeteriorated. Water Minister Atishi had launched the hunger striketo demand water for the national capital amid the ongoing crisis.

Addressing a press conference, Sanjay Singh said, "(Atishi) was on indefinite fast for the last five days. She only demanded one thing that the rightful water should be given to New Delhi as per the agreement with the Haryana government."

"After the elections, Delhi was receiving 100 MGD (million gallons per day)less water. She talked to Haryana's government, discussed the issue with Delhi LG (Lieutenant-General), and even wrote a letter to the Prime Minister. However, no one listened to her,” Singh added.

Atishi admitted to ICU

Atishi was hospitalised earlier on Tuesday and was taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at New Delhi'sLNJP Hospital."Water Minister Atishi's health deteriorates. Her blood sugar level dropped to 43 at midnight and to 36 at 3 AM, after which LNJP Hospital doctors advised immediate hospitalisation," the AAP said in a post on X.

"She has not eaten anything for the last five days and is on an indefinite hunger strike demanding the Haryana government to release New Delhi's share of water. She's been admitted to the emergency ICU at LNJP. We pray for her speedy recovery," the party added.

Dr Suresh Kumar, the hospital's director, told the news agency PTI that Atishi's condition was stable but she was in the ICU.

"She was advised hospitalisation last evening after her sugar levels declined and there the presence of ketones was detected in her urine. She had declined hospitalisation. However, at midnight, as her condition deteriorated and she was drowsy, she was admitted. She is currently stable and in the ICU. Her blood tests are being done," Dr Kumar added.

Hunger strike began on June 21

The Delhi water minister began her indefinite hunger strike last Friday (June 21) to ensure the water rights of 2.8 million residents of New Delhi. Earlier, Atishi said that her hunger strike would continue until Haryana provided the rights of Delhiites and till the gates of the Hathnikund Barrage were not opened.

The AAP has alleged that Haryana is supplying 100 MGDless water every day, which has severely affected the lives of the national capital's residents, adding to the problem of water shortage.

The issue of water shortage arose with the high temperatures and a heatwave in New Delhi.

(With inputs from agencies)