Suvendu Says Only Communists, Non-Sanatanists Complain About Firecrackers Amid Kolkata’s Severe Air Pollution

West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari. File | Photo credit: Debasish Bhaduri

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and several of his BJP colleagues defended Kolkata’s Deepavali celebrations after several parts of the city witnessed severe air pollution on the night of the festival, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing 500 and noise levels exceeding permissible limits in some areas.

About 205 people were arrested for violating firecracker rules in the West Bengal capital.

While some residents of the city and its suburbs voiced their displeasure on social media, Mr Adhikari blamed “communists” and those not of the Sanatan (traditionalist Hindu) persuasion for criticizing the government.

“People will celebrate a bit during Diwali and burst green crackers, what is the problem? In fact, some people have a problem because there has been such a Sanatan awakening. Those who are complaining have turned Hindu festivals into cultural programs. They have pushed the scriptures aside,” the chief minister said while interacting with media persons.

Mr. Adhikari said the administration had taken necessary measures to enforce the Supreme Court’s directions on noise pollution, though he acknowledged that some firecrackers were burst even outside the permitted time.

“Some green firecrackers may have been burnt after 10pm but the police have taken action against those responsible. I feel the situation was largely under control,” he said.

While the chief minister stopped short of blaming communists and non-Sanatanists, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Papia Adhikari claimed that bursting firecrackers can cure several ailments.

She was speaking during a Kali Puja event in her constituency in Kolkata’s Tollygunge area. “You will see that bursting firecrackers will cure many diseases,” she told the crowd.

A few days ago, Minister of State for Urban and Municipal Development Agnimitra Paul suggested spraying rose water and water mist to prevent air pollution in the city, a remark that drew sharp reactions from environmentalists.

Ms Paul was among those who took to the streets of Kolkata on Deepavali night when air pollution and noise exceeded permissible limits. The minister went out with police personnel to assess the situation and sought the intervention of the Kolkata Police Commissioner.

BJP MLA Roopa Ganguly took to social media to seek police help, saying she was unable to sleep due to the crackling noise.

“When will the noise stop? I can’t sleep. Kolkata police please help,” she wrote.

The post on the social network was subsequently deleted.

Meanwhile, members of Sabuj Mancha, a prominent environmental platform in West Bengal, went to hospitals and found noise levels well above permissible limits.

The organization strongly urged the Kolkata Police and the state government to strictly enforce the rules related to crackers.

Published – 09 Nov 2026 21:31 IST