A political blame game erupted over the worsening air quality in the national capital, with Delhi minister Kapil Mishra holding the AAP government responsible for “suspicious” sudden spike in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab on Diwali, which the AAP dismissed, saying smoke from Punjab “cannot reach Delhi in 10 minutes”. Punjab witnessed its sharpest single-day spike in paddy stubble-burning incidents this season on Diwali with 1,152 fresh farm fires, which pushed the state’s total count to 4,459 from 3,307 on November 7, according to official data.
Addressing a press conference, the law and justice minister said the Delhi government had examined satellite data on stubble-burning incidents and found that the number of reported fire locations in Punjab rose sharply on Diwali compared to the three preceding days. Mishra stated that according to satellite data, approximately 100 to 125 stubble-burning incidents were recorded in Punjab on November 5, 6 and 7, whereas the number suddenly increased to nearly 1,200 on the evening of November 8. He said that such a massive increase in incidents within just a few days raises several serious questions. Mishra said, “On November 7, stubble-burning incidents were reported at approximately 125 locations. How did the number suddenly rise to 1,200 locations on Diwali? How did the figures increase by more than 10 times? This is a matter of serious concern.”
Mishra appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to order an inquiry and register FIRs in cases where fields were deliberately set on fire. He also called for the examination of phone records of local representatives in affected areas.
Referring to pollution levels in various cities of Punjab, Mishra said that reports indicated an AQI of 1,238 in Malout, 1,307 in Abohar and 1,651 in Sangrur on the morning of November 9. He said that farmers and ordinary citizens in Punjab were also struggling to breathe. He questioned, “Who will be held responsible for the AQI recorded in Sangrur today? Who will be responsible for the AQI in Bathinda? Who is setting the farmers’ fields on fire in Punjab, and why are these fires being deliberately started?”
Mishra alleged that even before Diwali, leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party had been creating an atmosphere against Diwali, firecrackers and Sanatan traditions. He said that derogatory remarks against Diwali, disrespect towards Hindu festivals and campaigns against Sanatan traditions had been witnessed.
The AAP also accused the BJP-ruled Delhi government of “fraud” in pollution data by installing AQI monitoring stations near “green areas” and by sprinkling water near stations. Bharadwaj’s remarks came after Delhi minister Kapil Mishra called for an investigation into alleged spike in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab on the day of Diwali. Responding to the allegations, Bharadwaj said the government should follow scientific principles while discussing pollution data.
“Even if your Punjab theory is believed, smoke takes 2-3 days to travel from Punjab to Delhi. Stubble burnt on Diwali night in Punjab cannot reach Delhi in 10 minutes,” he said in a post on X. He also questioned why Delhi alone was witnessing high pollution levels if stubble-burning emissions were responsible, arguing that smoke would have to pass through Haryana before reaching the national capital.