The Delhi government on Tuesday hit back at claims that Diwali fireworks worsened the city’s pollution, calling such allegations politically motivated. This comes at a time when the AQI is at 182 (poor category) according to the aqi.in.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused critics of being “admirers of Aurangzeb and Akbar” and claimed their arguments targeted Hindu traditions rather than addressing real pollution sources.
“This isn’t the BJP’s festival. It’s a Sanatan Hindu festival. Why are you cursing the festival? To say that BJP is bursting crackers like this makes me feel embarrassed,” said Sirsa during a press conference.
He alleged that former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s AAP government had earlier banned firecrackers to “appease a particular community” for electoral gain.
Sirsa Cites Data to Counter Firecracker Blame
Presenting comparative data, Sirsa said Delhi’s post-Diwali air pollution levels were lower than previous years.
According to him, the Air Quality Index (AQI) rose by only 11 points this year — far less than spikes in earlier years when bans were enforced.
He detailed:
2020: PM2.5 rose from 414 to 435 (increase of 21 points)
2021: AQI rise of 80 points
2024: AQI increased by 32 points despite a cracker ban
“Will you hold Diwali responsible for this? Will you blame the faith of Sanatanis and Hindus in Delhi? What is the fault here?” he asked.
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AAP Counters With Data Transparency Questions
Meanwhile, AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned the Delhi government’s data transparency.
He claimed that PM2.5 and PM10 readings from Diwali night — between 7 pm on October 20 and 6 am on October 21 — were missing.
“Earlier there was a doubt that BJP’s Delhi government had ties with the firecracker lobby. Now it’s almost certain,” Bharadwaj posted on X.
He also alleged that illegal cracker sales went unchecked despite the Supreme Court allowing only “green crackers” and limited bursting hours from 6–7 pm and 8–10 pm.
Political Tensions Deepen Ahead of Winter Pollution Season
The remarks have triggered a fresh political row ahead of Delhi’s peak pollution season, with AAP and BJP trading accusations over accountability and enforcement.
Environmental activists have urged both parties to stop politicising the issue and focus on long-term air quality solutions like stubble burning control and clean energy transition.
