Delhi minister Sirsa alleges AAP instigating Punjab farmers to burn stubble

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of deliberately instigating farmers in Punjab to burn stubble, thereby worsening pollution levels in Delhi and blaming the BJP government for it. “I want to show you how AAP is forcing farmers to burn stubble by covering their faces. Farmers don’t want to burn stubble, but they were told to do so,” Sirsa said while addressing a press conference.

The minister alleged that the move was politically motivated, claiming that AAP was trying to create an environmental crisis in Delhi for political mileage. “Arvind Kejriwal spent 10 years as a prominent leader abusing the farmers of Punjab. Now, in just seven months, we have begun to address a disease that’s been going on for 27 years,” Sirsa added.

He further accused AAP leaders of dragging religion into the pollution debate, saying that they were deliberately linking Diwali, Sanatan Dharma, and Hinduism to the issue. “Arvind Kejriwal first banned firecrackers to appease a particular community. Since morning, his team has been cursing Diwali and tweeting against the festival. Diwali isn’t BJP’s festival—it’s a Sanatan Hindu festival. Why are they attacking it?” Sirsa asked.

Citing CPCB data, Sirsa defended the celebration of Diwali, arguing that the festival’s impact on pollution levels was minimal. “In 2024, when firecrackers were banned, AQI rose by 32 points — from 328 to 360. This year, with green crackers permitted, AQI increased by just 11 points — from 345 to 356. Will you still blame Diwali and the faith of Hindus for Delhi’s pollution?” he said.