Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Launches ‘Dilli Ko Kude Se Azaadi’ Campaign, Targets Previous Govt’s Neglect

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday, August 1, 2025, launched a month-long cleanliness campaign titled Dilli Ko Kude Se Azaadi (Delhi’s Freedom from Garbage), vowing to transform government offices and public spaces into clean, safe, and dignified environments. The drive, aimed at improving sanitation and hygiene in government establishments, marks the new administration's commitment to restoring public trust in governance infrastructure.

As a symbolic gesture, the Chief Minister wielded a broom herself to inaugurate the campaign, visiting the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department’s office at Kashmiri Gate.

"It is saddening to see that our officers work in this kind of building," she said, highlighting the unsafe and unhygienic conditions, including leaking roofs and ceiling fans that pose immediate risks to employees. Gupta’s inspection revealed decades-old neglect in basic facility maintenance—crumbling walls, waterlogged corners, and disorganised surroundings that paint a dismal picture of the state's public sector infrastructure.

Sharp Attack on AAP’s ‘Sheesh Mahal’

In a direct attack on the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Gupta accused it of "spending crores of rupees on building Sheesh Mahal"—a reference to the alleged lavish renovation of the Chief Minister's residence—while leaving critical offices and public departments to decay.

“They could invest in luxury for themselves but failed to provide dignified working conditions for government employees,” Gupta said, adding that her government would focus on restoring dignity to both workers and citizens by prioritising clean and safe offices over glamour projects.

Campaign Details and Objectives

The Dilli Ko Kude Se Azaadi campaign will continue throughout August 2025 and will involve regular inspections by government officials, public participation, and awareness drives to encourage cleanliness in public offices. The government has also announced the following key measures:

• Special sanitation squads for deep-cleaning government buildings.

• Upgradation of dilapidated infrastructure, especially in long-neglected departments.

• Installation of bio-toilets and modern dustbins in public offices and nearby areas.

• Weekly evaluation reports to monitor progress and identify bottlenecks.

• Community engagement initiatives, including competitions for cleanest department zones.

Gupta stated that this would be the first of many such people-centric initiatives under her tenure, where efficiency and functionality will be prioritised over optics.

Mixed Reactions from Political Circles

The launch of the cleanliness drive has received mixed responses. While citizens and several employees working in government offices welcomed the step, terming it "long overdue", critics from AAP labelled the move as "politically motivated optics", especially with the broom symbol evoking connections to their own electoral symbol and Swachh Bharat-like campaigns.

AAP leaders also denied the charges of negligence, claiming that efforts were made to modernise public spaces, but "budgetary constraints and bureaucratic red tape" slowed progress.

Public Sentiment and Social Media Reactions

On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, hashtags like #DilliKoKudeSeAzaadi and #RekhaGuptaCleanlinessDrive began trending soon after the campaign launch. Photos and videos of the Chief Minister sweeping at the WCD office were widely circulated, with many praising her for leading by example.

"At least someone finally cares about where government servants work," said one user. Others called for the drive to be extended to Delhi’s public schools, hospitals, and police stations, all of which have faced cleanliness concerns in the past.

A Step Towards Sustainable Governance

According to sources within the Delhi government, the sanitation mission will also align with sustainability goals. Plans are underway to integrate waste segregation practices, encourage recycling within government departments, and reduce plastic usage in public offices.

Environmental experts have lauded the initiative but warned that one-time cleaning won’t work unless it is coupled with long-term maintenance contracts, staff training, and accountability frameworks.

Conclusion

The Dilli Ko Kude Se Azaadi initiative launched by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is more than a symbolic act. It is an effort to draw a sharp contrast between her administration and the former regime, showcasing her commitment to functional governance, employee welfare, and public service delivery.

Whether the campaign will yield lasting results remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Delhi’s public offices are finally getting the attention they’ve long been denied.

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