Stop press! Delhi is going through a ‘cultural renaissance’ under Rekha Gupta

Forget the 14-century Renaissance in Europe. Unbeknownst to the average Dilli-wala, the national capital is going through a “cultural renaissance” right here right now in 2026. 

All thanks to Dear Leader Rekha Gupta. 

At least that’s what the BJP government has announced in full-page advertorials in multiple dailies today to mark one year of the Rekha Gupta government.

Apparently, Delhi “has moved beyond infrastructure and institutions” and embraced a broader vision that “nurtures cultural, spiritual pride and emotional connection alongside developments”. You say potholes, pollution, deaths? Well, the government would like you to focus on the “flame of cultural awakening from kartavya path”.

It’s truly visionary to replace oxygen with “emotional connection” and exchange clean running water for a “nurturing” flow of raw sewage. 

The advertorial essentially curated a “Year of Cultural Achievements” under the Rekha Gupta administration, featuring the “first grand Deepotsav at Kartavya Path since Independence,” “Bhojpur-Maithili programs at 200 ghats,” and a celebration of Navaratri, Durga Puja, and Garba, among other festivities. Because no one in Delhi ever celebrated a festival before Gupta Ji came and told us how to. 

Just to ensure the optics weren't entirely Hindu-centric, the list throws in a “historic congregation of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib.” Conspicuously absent, however, was any mention of Islamic festivities in a city defined by its centuries-old Muslim heritage. No Phool Walon Ki Sair that almost got cancelled. And definitely no mention of the Mohabbat ka Sharbat during Ramzan. Not even a line on the Jashn-e-rekhta, and the 100 Sufi festivals that have sprung up in the capital.

In a similar vein, the Delhi government also claimed that the celebration of Chhath Mahaparv “became a powerful reaffirmation of faith and cultural pride”. Never mind that migrants from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in Delhi have been celebrating Chhath Puja in Delhi for years with pomp. 

Never mind the claim that the “dedicated arrangements” they've made for those celebrating the festival on the ghats of the Yamuna haven't led to any real action on cleaning up the river, which, as Newslaundry reported on November 26, 2025, has seen pollution levels rise, with toxic foam appearing near Kalinidi Kunj, despite the government's claims that the river had been cleaned up. 

Just last week, the Times of India reported that a study commissioned by the Delhi government and conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) found "widespread contamination" of the Yamuna linked to microplastics. 

Then we have the claims regarding “sensitivity for the Kanwar Yatra”. Apparently, the chief minister personally showering flower petals on the pilgrims “symbolised a deeper connection between governance and people”. Nothing says ‘top-tier governance’ quite like a high-ranking official showering flowers over people while actual law and order takes a backseat in the city.  

What takes the cake is the claim further on in the advertorial that "Today, Delhi stands not just as the nation's capital, but as a vibrant cultural canvas-where every tradition is honoured, every community respected and every dream welcomed." 

Delhi has always been that city. But there is very little to nothing the BJP government under Rekha Gupta has done to facilitate that. 

In fact, what we have are communities that continue to struggle with racial, caste and communal discrimination in the city, and an administration that is neither sensitive nor proactive to these concerns. 

Maybe the odd Bhajan clubbing event can soothe those concerns. 

And finally, the bizarre assertion that Bhajan clubbing programs “blending devotion with modern music and youthful energy” have "transformed college campuses" is a laughable fantasy given the events of the past fortnight. Nothing says “youthful energy” quite like a campus-wide ban on protests. 

It’s clear the vision for the modern student isn't a thinking, critical mind, but a compliant one – perfectly content to ignore the dismantling of their rights as long as there’s a bhajan beat to groove to.

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