The water minister in Delhi has had to be admitted to hospital after embarking on a hunger strike five days ago in protest at what she claims is a neighbouring state’s restrictions on the water supply to the Indian capital.
This comes as Delhi endures severe water shortages during a prolonged heatwave, which has pushed up consumption.
Atishi, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, who goes by only one name, has accused neighbouring Haryana state of restricting water supply to the city by holding up a large share of water from the Yamuna River, which runs through the capital.
However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is in power in Haryana, has denied the charge and blamed the AAP government for the water crisis.
According to the BBC, Atishi was taken to hospital yesterday after her sugar levels dropped to 36 − way below the normal range of 70-100mg/dL.
The BBC reports that Delhi is experiencing one of its hottest summers, with temperatures exceeding 40C for weeks.
This has led to a spike in the demand for electricity and water, putting a strain on the city’s resources.
With the water supply almost running out, people have had to depend on water supplied by tankers.
Delhi and other northern states, including Haryana, depend on the Yamuna River for their water needs.
In 1996, India’s top court ordered Haryana to provide a portion of its water to Delhi throughout the year because of the city’s growing demand for drinking water.
Last week, Atishi requested the Haryana government to release additional water to the city on “humanitarian grounds”, but the Haryana government said Delhi’s water crisis was the result of mismanagement.