On the eve of the Diwali festival, poll-bound Gujarat witnessed a 'cracking debate' over the AAP-ruled Delhi Government's ban on the firecrackers in the national Capital with the Gujarat BJP accusing it of being "anti-religious".
Last month, the Arvind Kejriwal Government re-imposed a complete ban on the production, sale and use of all types of firecrackers till January 1, 2023, including on Diwali.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai recently said the bursting of firecrackers on Diwali in Delhi will attract a jail term of up to six months and a fine of Rs 200. The BJP has attacked the latter for allegedly not respecting the sentiments of the majority community and being "anti-religious".
Addressing a gathering after a firecrackers show organized in Rajkot, BJP chief CR Patil said, "Today I read some news that the Chief Minister of Delhi has imposed a ban on firecrackers in Delhi. That brother is trying to come here (for elections in Gujarat). Then how will you burst firecrackers?" "So please recognise such anti-religious people and against firecrackers who stop us from celebrating our festivals," Patil said.
The AAP which has replaced Congress in Punjab as the ruling party is now trying to position itself as the main contender to the ruling BJP in Gujarat where elections are due later this year.The Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government had said the ban on crackers was imposed on the orders of the Supreme Court and the BJP leaders were showing disrespect to the court.
BJP leaders had targeted the Delhi government over the complete ban on firecrackers, dubbing the Kejriwal-led dispensation "anti-Hindu".BJP MP Manoj Tiwari also recently said chief minister Kejriwal should allow people in Delhi to burst crackers for two-three hours on Diwali.
Kejriwal has been camping and campaigning in Gujarat promising guarantees like 300 units of free electricity per month, free education in government schools, sops for unemployed youth, Rs 1,000 allowance to women and a monthly stipend for new lawyers.