Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday cited 2020 data to argue that Diwali was not responsible for Delhi’s AQI today, which dipped into the “severe” category in key areas.
In a press conference, he blamed the former Arvind Kejriwal government for banning firecrackers in Delhi on Diwali.
“For 10 years, Arvind Kejriwal was the Chief Minister… Arvind Kejriwal first deliberately banned firecrackers in Delhi to win the votes of a certain community to appease them,” he said.
Sirsa claimed that Diwali cannot be blamed for Delhi’s AQI dip, and accused the opposition of trying to please “some section”.
“Let me tell you that those who are blaming Diwali for this is a lie. It is only being done to please a section. Admirers of Aurangzeb and Akbar say it; those who put Tipu Sultan’s photo in the Vidhan Sabha say it,” he said.
Delhi AQI: What data did the minister quote?
Addressing reporters, Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that Delhi’s AQI on Diwali increased more in 2020, 2021 and 2024 compared to this year when the ban on firecrackers was lifted.
He said that in 2020, Delhi’s AQI on Diwali increased by 21 points to 435 and similar trends followed in subsequent years.
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“In 2020 there was firecrackers on Diwali. At that time PM 2.5 was 414 before Diwali and 435 after Diwali. There was an increase of 21 points for firecrackers. In 2021 there was an increase of 80 points. In 2024 when firecrackers were banned A8 a2 360 after Diwali – 32 points increased when firecrackers were banned.” Sirsa told reporters.
Compared to previous years, Delhi’s AQI rose by just 11 points to 356 for Diwali 2025, when green firecrackers were allowed, the minister said.
“On the order of the Supreme Court and on the request of the Delhi government, we got permission for green firecrackers. Before Diwali, AQI was 345 and after Diwali, AQI was 356, according to CPCB’s SAMEER App. Only 11 points went up when firecrackers were allowed,” he said.
Sirsa questioned whether Diwali could be held responsible for the rise in Delhi’s AQI, suggesting that the bursting of firecrackers did not make much of a difference in air pollution.
“Will you blame Diwali for this? Will you hold the faith of all Sanatans and Hindus in Delhi responsible? What is wrong with that?”
Delhi AQI drops after Diwali
Earlier in the day, residents of Delhi woke up to a thick haze as the air quality dipped into the “red zone” after a night of crackling.
Read also | Diwali: Delhi’s air pollution rises alarmingly after Dhruv Rathee’s warning
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi’s AQI stood at 359 as of 10:00 am today.
Bawana recorded an AQI of 432 as of 10:00 AM, Jahangirpuri had an AQI of 405, Ashok Vihar had an AQI of 408 and Wazirpur with an AQI of 408 remains the worst affected area with air quality falling under the ‘Severe’ category.
