Is new Delhi CM Atishi Christian? What is her caste? Know truth here

Atishi, the MLA from Kalkaji assembly constituency, comes from a family deeply rooted in academics. Her parents, Vijay Singh and Tripta, are both professors at Delhi University and belong to the Rajput community with Punjabi heritage.

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Mayank Kasyap
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Atishi (ANI (File))

New Delhi: Atishi has been announced as the new Chief Minister of Delhi, following the resignation of Arvind Kejriwal. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislative party elected her as their new leader. Prior to this, Atishi served in Kejriwal’s cabinet, overseeing key ministries such as Public Works Department (PWD) and Revenue. Her name had been speculated for the role ever since Kejriwal’s resignation, and now it’s official—Atishi will lead Delhi.

Which community does Atishi belong to?

Atishi, the MLA from Kalkaji assembly constituency, comes from a family deeply rooted in academics. Her parents, Vijay Singh and Tripta, are both professors at Delhi University and belong to the Rajput community with Punjabi heritage. At 43, Atishi is married to Praveen Singh, a social worker, who also comes from a Rajput background. The couple knew each other before their marriage and gradually developed a relationship that led to their union.

The mystery behind Atishi’s surname

Interestingly, Atishi doesn’t use a surname. Her full name was initially "Atishi Marlena," a unique choice influenced by her father Vijay Singh’s admiration for Marxist ideology. The "Marlena" suffix is a combination of "Marx" and "Lenin," reflecting her father’s left-leaning political beliefs. As a result, the family chose not to give her a traditional surname but instead opted for this ideological blend.

Why was Atishi accused of being a Christian?

During the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Atishi’s unusual surname became a point of controversy. The opposition falsely claimed she was a Christian, largely due to the confusion surrounding the name "Marlena." As rumors spread across social media, the association between her name and Christianity gained traction. To avoid further misrepresentation, Atishi dropped "Marlena" from her name and now simply goes by "Atishi."

Controversy over Afzal Guru's mercy petition

With Atishi’s appointment as Delhi’s CM, her parents have also come under scrutiny. Swati Maliwal, a former leader of both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and AAP, has alleged that Atishi’s parents supported Afzal Guru, the convict in the 2001 Parliament attack case. According to Maliwal, Vijay Singh and Tripta signed a petition seeking clemency for Guru. This revelation has sparked a fresh debate on social media, with people discussing the role Atishi’s family played in the controversial mercy petition.