On International Yoga Day, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta marked the occasion with a symbolic gesture by performing yoga on the banks of the Yamuna River, using the opportunity to highlight her administration’s ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the polluted river. Her public appearance also served as a sharp critique of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), accusing the previous government of inaction and broken promises.
Highlighting river cleanup progress
Speaking at the event, Rekha Gupta said that the Yamuna is not only a lifeline for Delhi but also a sacred symbol of faith that had been neglected for years. She noted that in the short span of four months since taking office, her government had made visible progress in the mission to clean the Yamuna, a promise long made by AAP but never fulfilled.
“The previous governments did little beyond slogans. In contrast, we have initiated actual groundwork. This yoga session on the river’s banks is meant to show the people of Delhi that change is happening,” Rekha Gupta stated.
She emphasized the use of new technology being deployed to ensure that every drop of water entering the river is clean. “Soon, we envision cruise boats operating on this very stretch of the Yamuna. Today’s yoga performance on boats is a step toward reclaiming the river as a space for public and cultural life,” she added.
Sharp political attack on Kejriwal
Chief Minister Gupta used the platform to launch a pointed political attack against former CM Arvind Kejriwal and his party. She alleged that AAP consistently linked yoga to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and avoided celebrating International Yoga Day for political reasons.
“If associating yoga with PM Modi keeps them from practicing or promoting it, that’s unfortunate. Should they also stop eating if PM Modi promotes a certain diet?” she asked rhetorically.
Referring to Kejriwal’s resignation following the BJP’s rise in Delhi, she quipped, “After seeing the BJP form the government here, he simply fled the capital.”
As part of the celebrations, the Delhi government organized yoga sessions at 11 prominent locations, with ministers, BJP MLAs, and MPs participating enthusiastically. The day was used not just to promote health and wellness, but also to drive home a political message about responsibility, action, and results.
