• Source:JND
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Delhi Air Pollution: The air quality of Delhi-NCR has worsened significantly in the past two to three days due to several reasons, especially Diwali. The burning of firecrackers even after the deadline of two hours set by the Supreme Court caused suffocation and poor visibility. According to a Central Pollution Control Bureau (CPCB) bulletin, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in most of the regions was recorded at around 350. The health ministry has advised the residents to follow the guidelines and limit their outings to avoid any inconveniences. A political row started over the air pollution between the Aam Aadmi Party and Bharatiya Janata Party, both accusing each other of the pollution.

While the former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led opposition party slammed the state government for alleged mismanagement, the BJP accused the AAP of insulting Hindu rituals, further questioning their alleged failure in controlling the stubble burning cases in Punjab. Earlier on Tuesday, Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa claimed that the AAP leaders were insulting Hindu festivals, adding that the Kejriwal government had banned firecrackers to appease a particular community.

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“They (AAP) are deliberately bringing Diwali, Sanatana Dharma, and Hinduism into the picture... Arvind Kejriwal first deliberately banned firecrackers in Delhi to garner the votes of a particular community, to appease them. Since this morning, Arvind Kejriwal's entire team has been constantly cursing Diwali,” Sirsa said.

In a response to Sirsa, Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh stated that the stubble burning cases have significantly reduced in the past few years, adding that while there were many factors behind the pollution, firecrackers escalated the situation. He further suggested the Prime Minister Narendra Modi discuss the issue with the chief ministers of different states. 

"Manjinder Singh Sirsa's (Delhi Minister) statement is illogical and baseless. When smoke from Punjab is not causing any trouble in Punjab, Chandigarh, Ambala, Kurukshetra, then how can it cause trouble in Delhi? The entire Indo-Gangetic plain is suffering from pollution. The biggest causes of pollution are vehicles, industries, construction, garbage etc," Singh stated.

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"Firecrackers only increase pollution...In Punjab, stubble burning has reduced by 60-70 per cent. Pollution in Pakistan's Punjab is 20 per cent higher than here. Pollution smoke doesn't respect borders...The PM should have a discussion with CMs of the different states over the issue of pollution....Nothing will come out of abusing Kejriwal," he added.

The air quality of Delhi has witnessed significant deterioration, especially in the winter months for the past several years, leading to multiple health issues.

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