Amidst the Narmada dam controversy, Twitter user @kishan_rathod09 extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding an unexpected twist to the ongoing debate.
In a stunning turn of events, the Gujarat government’s decision to open the floodgates of the Sardar Sarovar dam has sparked a political firestorm. The Opposition Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have made serious allegations, claiming that the dam’s waters were withheld by the state BJP government until they could be released to coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday on September 17.
The Congress has labeled this situation a “man-made disaster” and accused the government of deliberately allowing the dam to overflow, resulting in severe flooding in the downstream Bharuch district and causing extensive damage affecting “lakhs of people.”
Adding to the chaos, the Narmada dam and nine other reservoirs have continued to overflow for a second consecutive day due to heavy rainfall. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had to step in to rescue 37 individuals, including three infants, seven children, and 21 women, who were trapped in the floodwaters of the Dhami river in Arvalli district’s Demai village on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.
Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi expressed outrage, saying, “Despite heavy rains in Madhya Pradesh and constant monitoring of water levels in the Narmada dam, the authorities deliberately withheld releasing an adequate amount of water on September 15 and 16, waiting for the dam to overflow on September 17 for someone’s benefit.” Doshi further noted that the massive release of water, amounting to 18 lakh cusecs, inundated downstream towns and cities, including Bharuch, Chanod, and Karnali. He demanded that officials responsible for this decision be held accountable for criminal negligence and their property confiscated to compensate flood victims.
Doshi highlighted that five districts were affected and announced that the Gujarat Congress would be writing to the President of India, the Central Water Commission, and both central and state governments regarding the matter. He also pointed out that if officials had acted promptly, the floodwaters from the Narmada could have been redirected to Saurashtra, where there was a demand for water.
Meanwhile, GPCC president Shaktisinh Gohil contended that the sudden release of water from the Narmada dam resulted in a flood crisis in Bharuch, where waters reached the second floor of apartments in residential areas, devastating farms and crops. Gohil claimed that this disaster could have been avoided if water had been released gradually and accused the state government of orchestrating a drama to please the BJP, particularly by ensuring that the dam overflowed on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday.
Adding to the intrigue, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flew to Kevadiya, the dam’s site, on Sunday morning to welcome the Narmada waters. This day coincided with Prime Minister Modi’s 73rd birthday.
The controversy continues to unfold, with politicians and officials facing mounting scrutiny and demands for accountability in the wake of this alleged man-made flood. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
In a surprising twist to the ongoing controversy surrounding the Narmada dam and its water release, Kishan Rathod, a Twitter user with the handle @kishan_rathod09, extended his birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rathod’s tweet, which read “Happy Birthday Modi ji 🎂🥳,” has garnered attention in the midst of allegations that the dam’s waters were strategically released on the Prime Minister’s birthday. This unexpected social media gesture adds a unique dimension to the unfolding story.
