DELHI ON A HEAP OF DUNG-HILL (04/04/2015)

The week witnessed animated discussion among regular commuters of the chartered belonging to the two leading political parties of Delhi- the AAP and the BJP. The issue of discussion was the on-going strike (hartal) of the safaai karamchaaries (sanitation workers) of the three municipal corporations of Delhi and the resultant mess that the city finds itself. Delhi today sits on a dung hill of garbage. It is unbelievable that it is the same Delhi which presented a picture perfect just a year back. ‘Chamchamaati dilli aaj gandhaati dilli ban gayi hai’- commented a commuter. As things stand today every chowk, chaubara, nook and corner of the city has become a dumping ground of garbage both biodegradable and other wise causing immense stink and foul smell wherever you go. The scenario gives a hands down to the BJP initiated government funded “Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan”. Is it the picture of the “smart city” that Mr. Modi dreams of and thinks of showcasing internationally as part of his “Make in India” campaign? Friends, welcome to the 21^st century India. Just a couple of weeks back every VIP worth his pinstripe suit, wielding the broom, were busy in photo shoots to project their ‘concern’ for a clean Delhi. I wonder what happened to that ‘resolve’.  Now when the sanitation workers have gone off the streets on an indefinite strike, none of these VIPs are available to clean the city. As the strike enters second week Delhi has come to resemble Patna with dung-hill of garbage heaped at every chowk, making a mockery of both the BJP and the AAP, who considered they to be better ruler than the previous regime. Today both these dispensation are unable to even run a city properly. Such amateurish attitude wasn’t expected of them. Now that the executive have proved a complete in providing basic civic amenities to its citizen, shouldn’t the Court intervene to set matters right? Should that happen, can the Government claim to wield the same authority to question judicial intervention in matters where the executive has failed in its duty?