Political Storm Over Stubble Burning and Delhi's Air Quality

Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accuses Punjab's AAP government of forcing farmers to burn stubble, impacting the national capital's air quality. Sirsa presents videos at a press conference, claiming religiously charged politics. Air quality slightly worsened after Diwali, despite heavy firecracker use and stubble burning allegations.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused the Punjab government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), of compelling farmers to engage in stubble burning, thus elevating pollution levels in Delhi. Presenting videos allegedly showing stubble burning, Sirsa backed his claims at a press briefing.

Drawing connections between increased pollution and religious politics, Sirsa alleged that while AAP criticized Diwali celebrations involving firecrackers, the real pollution culprit was stubble burning. He asserted that despite firecracker use, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) rose only modestly.

Accusing AAP of playing religious politics, Sirsa contrasted the crackdown on Diwali celebrations with leniency towards other religious events. Meanwhile, post-Diwali, Delhi residents experienced deteriorated air quality, exacerbated by stubble burning and cracker pollution.

(With inputs from agencies.)