Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Delhi LG, AAP Clash Over Centuries-Old 'Phool Walon Ki Sair' Festival
A very old festival in Delhi, called 'Phool Walon Ki Sair' (Flower Sellers' Trip), that celebrates togetherness, almost didn't happen this year.
The government body that usually gives permission, the DDA, was slow to grant it.
This was because a rule made by the previous government said no festivals could be held in a specific forest area.
The main leader of Delhi, the Lieutenant Governor, got involved and said this was wrong, as the festival is very old and important.
He told the DDA to give permission but with rules to protect the forest.
The people from the previous government, the AAP party, are now arguing with the LG, saying he is lying and that his government is actually trying to stop the festival.
The LG's office says he has always supported the festival and that the rules were made by AAP.
So, the festival will happen, but the politicians are still blaming each other.
The centuries-old 'Phool Walon Ki Sair' festival in Delhi received conditional permission to be held at its traditional venue after Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena intervened.
Permission was initially delayed due to a November 28, 2023, order from the then AAP government's Environment and Forest Department prohibiting festivals in the southern Ridge area.
LG Saxena ordered action against officials for an 'unresponsive and apathetic approach' and directed the DDA to grant approval.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the LG and the 'BJP government' of trying to stop the heritage festival and challenged the LG to suspend officers.
The LG's office stated Saxena has promoted the festival for three years and the conditional approval aims to balance heritage with environmental protection.
- Who
- Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Anjuman-Sair-E-Gul-Faroshan (organizers)
- What
- A political dispute arose over the delayed permission for the centuries-old 'Phool Walon Ki Sair' festival, with the LG intervening to grant conditional approval, leading to accusations between the LG's office and AAP.
- When
- Permission was granted recently following LG Saxena's intervention; the festival is scheduled for February-March next year. The order causing the delay was dated November 28, 2023.
- Where
- Aam Bagh, Mehrauli, Delhi (southern Ridge area)
- Why
- Permission was initially delayed due to an order prohibiting festivals in the Ridge area, issued by the then AAP government's Environment and Forest Department. The LG intervened due to the delay and ordered action against officials, sparking a political argument over who was responsible.
Lieutenant Governor (LG) Office
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
Reason for Permission Delay
Lieutenant Governor (LG) Office
The delay was due to a November 28, 2023, order from the then AAP government's Environment and Forest Department prohibiting festivals in the southern Ridge area. LG Saxena intervened after taking serious exception to a centuries-old festival being denied permission and directed action against unresponsive officials.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
LG Saxena is lying; it's the BJP government that is stopping the festival. AAP challenges the LG to suspend the Secretary and IAS officers who allegedly passed anti-people and communal orders to stop the festival, asserting these orders were given at the LG's direction.
LG's Role in Festival Promotion
Lieutenant Governor (LG) Office
LG Saxena has actively promoted the festival for the past three years, personally participating in events related to it. The conditional approval aims to balance heritage preservation with environmental protection.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
AAP claims the LG is attempting to take credit and is falsely accusing them. They insist the LG himself is responsible for the orders that hindered the festival.
- Festival Name
- Phool Walon Ki Sair
- Organizers
- Anjuman-Sair-E-Gul-Faroshan
- Traditional Venue
- Aam Bagh, Mehrauli (southern Ridge area)
- Festival Dates
- February-March next year
- Permission Status
- Granted conditionally after LG intervention
- Reason for Delay
- November 28, 2023, order from the Environment and Forest Department prohibiting festivals in the Ridge area, a decision allegedly made under the then AAP government.
- Key Figure
- Lt Governor V K Saxena
