Delhi Air Pollution: Former CM Kejriwal asks people to light 'diyas', not burst crackers ahead of Deepavali

AAP's Arvind Kejriwal urges Delhi residents to avoid firecrackers, light diyas for Diwali amidst rising air pollution.

Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday (October 30, 2024) asked Delhi residents to refrain from bursting firecrackers and light diyas in Deepavali, noting that Deepavali is a festival of lights and not firecrackers.

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, while speaking at a press conference, said, “Even the Supreme Court and High Court say that in view of the pollution, we should not burst crackers; we should light diyas. This is the festival of lights and not fireworks. It is not as if we are doing a favour to anybody. Whatever pollution will happen, our children will suffer from it, so there is no Hindu-Muslim in this. Everyone’s life is important.”

Also read | Deepavali 2024: Which States have banned firecrackers, and what are the penalties for violating the ban? 

This came amidst rising air pollution in national capital. Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated over the last several days, prompting the Delhi government to take measures to control air pollution, including busting firecrackers.

Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, urging him to take stringent action against violations of the firecracker ban in the national capital.

With the intent of curbing pollution, Minister Gopal Rai announced on October 14 the production, storage, distribution, and use of firecrackers in the city until January 1.

“It has been brought to my notice that despite the ban, firecrackers are being openly sold in various markets of Delhi. These firecrackers are being brought through various borders connecting Delhi to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh,” read the letter of Gopal Rai to L-G Saxena.