As air quality in Delhi worsens, senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, stating that residents of the capital require accountability rather than sermons about festivals. Singhvi remarked on X, ‘The air is grey, the lungs are black, and the BJP’s accountability is invisible. Delhi doesn’t need sermons on festivals; it needs a government that can breathe responsibility.’ His remarks come amid alarming pollution levels in the city. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several areas remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday morning. The AQI in RK Puram was recorded at 380, while Anand Vihar showed 355.
Other areas with ‘very poor’ AQI included Ashok Vihar at 355, Bawana at 376, Dwarka Sector 8 at 353, ITO at 362, Nehru Nagar at 394, and Chandni Chowk at 332. The AQI around Akshardham was noted at 360. In response, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of blaming Diwali for the rising pollution levels, claiming that the opposition’s narrative serves to appease a specific voter base by advocating for a ban on traditional celebrations. ‘Aam Aadmi Party is fully focused on proving that the pollution in Delhi is due to Diwali.
This is because they have a particular vote bank, whom they want to appease, and that’s why they are trying hard to prove that Diwali needs to be banned due to smoke from diyas and crackers, due to which pollution happens,’ Sirsa stated in an ANI interview. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta added that the UT government is proactively exploring artificial rain to mitigate pollution and is also promoting electric vehicles to enhance the city’s environment.