An Indian politician falls sick after drinking dirty water from the 'holy' river to prove to residents that the water is safe and free from pollution.

The chief minister of India's northern Punjab state, Bhagwant Mann, fell ill two days after drinking a glass of polluted water from Kali Bein, a river considered holy by many Sikhs in Sultanpur Lodhi.

In a viral video making rounds online, Mann can be seen scooping up a glass of water and downing it to show locals that it was safe.

Ironically, Mann had earlier announced the launch of a statewide campaign to clean all rivers and drains in the state.

A few days after drinking the water, Mann was admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in Delhi with a severe stomach ache.

Mann was then diagnosed with an infection and was kept under observation by a team of medics for two days before being discharged.

His office didn't issue a statement regarding his illness. However, his Aam Admi Party (AAP), which won the Punjab state elections back in March, said he had gone to the hospital for a routine check-up.

But that didn't stop Twitter users from poking fun at him.

One Twitter user posted:

"Bhagwant Mann drinking a glass of water from the river which they claimed to have cleaned and then falling ill and getting admitted in Apollo hospital Delhi has to be a funny, tragic story of the year."

Opposition leaders also took a dig at the minister for seeking treatment at a private hospital instead of the community clinics that the AAP government runs.

Kali Bein, which means "black stream," is dubbed 'Holy River' and gets its name from the color of its waters.

The river originates in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district and flows 102 miles through four districts before meeting the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers.

According to Sikhism religion, the stream holds immense significance in their faith as Guru Nanak — the founder of the religion — is said to have attained enlightenment after taking a dip in its water.