BJP Accuses AAP Government of Defaming Sanatan Over Similar AQI Levels Post-Diwali Crackers

Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai appreciated citizens for responsible Diwali celebrations and Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva on Friday criticized the AAP government, which he claimed was planning to defame Sanatan Dharma with its repeated rhetoric against firecrackers.

Delhi Air Quality Index "remained in the 'very poor' range rather than escalating to severe levels as had been feared on the eve of the festival," said Gopal Rai earlier in the day.

Virendra Sachdeva, in reference to 'similar AQI levels' in pre and post-Diwali periods said, "The Delhi government is plotting to defame the Sanatani tradition of cracking crackers on Diwali with the pretext of pollution. Gopal Rai, you are doing a bit of appeasement on the pretext of pollution of a particular segment of society. You had always criticized crackers for smogging the national capital. However, the condition of the AQI stands the same even after it is cracked.

So, the real reason behind the pollution is because of the uncontrolled dust. It is also because of not stopping stubble burning and vehicle pollution," he told IANS.

He further said that the AAP government is not taking the pollution seriously in the city.

You never presented any seriousness for the pollution in the national capital. Which smog gun tower you are referring to? The smog tower, which all of you have erected worth Rs 22.9 crore with absolutely no value addition. This government is without solutions and policies that control pollution since they never wanted to work here, "he said.

Earlier, on October 30, AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal has justified the ban on fire crackers stating that it is need for protection of people from air pollution and there is no 'Hindu-Muslim' issue.

Kejriwal said, "Diwali is a festival of lights and it should be celebrated by lighting 'diya' and candles instead of bursting firecrackers that cause pollution." He added, "It's not that we are doing any favor to others. We are doing a favor to ourselves because ultimately we and our small kids will suffer from the pollution caused by bursting crackers."