Two days after Dhruv Rathee advised people not to buy firecrackers for Diwali 2025, pollution in the Delhi-NCR region has risen to alarming levels. The area included Gurgaon (Gurugram) and Noida.
On October 18, a German-based Indian activist warned people against blaming each other for air pollution.
Read also | Delhi AQI ‘severe’ after Diwali; doctors compare the air to smoking dozens of cigarettes
On October 21, Delhi-NCR woke up to a thick layer of smog, with air quality falling to hazardous levels. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s average air quality index (AQI) was 359 and fell under the “very poor” category.
At 7 am, the city-wide average AQI stood at 451, almost double the national safe limit, TOI reported.
Delhi’s AQI on Diwali 2025 was worst in three years, according to CPCB. it was 328 in 2024, 218 in 2023 and 312 in 2022.
Read also | Delhi-NCR suffocates after Diwali: Dwarka, Mundka among top 10 places with worst AQI
Wazirpur and Jahangirpuri recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 408, followed by Burari Crossing at 405 and Shadipur at 399.
NSIT Dwarka, Ashok Vihar and Mundka also showed high pollution levels. Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, RK Puram and Aya Nagar completed the top 10 most polluted areas.
With restrictions already in place under the Graded Response Action Plan Phase 2 (GRAP 2), residents of Delhi-NCR have described the festival as heavy smog, limited construction and strict anti-pollution measures.
Read also | SC chose ‘right to burn crackers’ over ‘right to live’, says Amitabh Kant
On Diwali night (October 20), Delhi’s air quality dropped to 345 AQI, which is classified as “very poor”. According to the CPCB, 34 out of 38 monitoring stations in Delhi recorded pollution levels in the red zone, ranging from “very bad” to “severe”.
Experts warned that pollution would worsen overnight due to continued use of firecrackers, low wind speed and poor weather conditions. Authorities also reported multiple violations of the city’s ban on the sale and use of firecrackers.
What did Dhruv Rathee say?
In his video, Dhruv Rathee explained how civilians, farmers and truck drivers along with the government are blaming each other for the rising pollution. When civilians are asked not to use firecrackers, they ask farmers to stop burning crop residues, known as stubble or parali. According to many people who use firecrackers on Diwali, stubble burning during the post-harvest season causes much more pollution.
Farmers then blame drivers of large vehicles for pollution. The drivers then accuse the factories of being “more responsible”. According to Rathee, the government then says that nobody cares about pollution, so it won’t matter.
Amidst the blame game, Dhruv called for “personal responsibility” for Rathee. He advised everyone not to buy firecrackers not only on Diwali but also on other occasions like New Year or wedding.
“Be the change you want to see,” he said. “If you want to control pollution, do whatever is possible in your personal capacity.”
How did people react to Dhruv Rathee?
While some appreciated Dhruv Rathee’s message, it did not sit well with many others. Many social media users slammed him for his advice.
“People shouldn’t sacrifice goats on Eid either. Be the change,” came the sarcastic reply.
Two days after Dhruv Rathee’s warning; air pollution in Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida is alarmingly high
“I’m definitely burning crackers. Why not? Don’t give any lectures to stop our festival. Diwali comes once a year. Why not celebrate it?” one user asked.
“I never heard him say ‘Don’t sacrifice animals on Eid’ or ‘Don’t cut down trees on Christmas’. Just one question: Why?” came from another user.
Another user commented, “Sirf Diwali par hi gaayn dene jaante hain (He knows how to lecture about it only on Diwali).”
“I am buying crackers this Diwali,” declared another user.
Interest on “Diwali” increased from October 19 to October 20 on Google India:
Interest in ‘Diwali’ surged from October 19 to October 20 on Google India
