Insensitive: Yadav on PM 'enjoy the weather' remark

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Devender Yadav on Monday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remark advising people to “enjoy the weather” while the national capital continues to battle hazardous pollution levels.

Calling the statement “insensitive”, Yadav said the Prime Minister’s comment trivialises the suffering of millions in Delhi struggling with a public health emergency. “It is completely insensitive of the PM to make a mockery of the lives of Delhiites by making a remark ‘mausam ka maja lijiye’ at the time when there is health emergency in Delhi,” he said, adding, “While the Central Government should give special directions to the Government of Delhi to curb pollution, the PM's statement is insensitive to the struggle for life of the people of Delhi.”

He further alleged that the Prime Minister remains unaware of the ground reality.

Sharing expert concerns, he quoted environmentalist Bhavreen Khandari, “In recent weeks, Delhi has repeatedly recorded AQI in the very hazardous category and in some areas PM 2.5 and PM10 concentrations have been recorded in the range of 440-500 with hazardous particles. There is hardly any background to enjoy in these circumstances, in which to celebrate. The sky remained overcast from morning till evening.”

Yadav accused both the Centre and the Delhi Government of failure and political posturing. He said despite the government showcasing anti pollution measures including sprinklers, smog guns, mechanical sweepers and waste bio mining systems, the ground impact remains negligible. “In such a large area of Delhi, this effort of the Delhi government is just like cumin in the mouth of the camel,” he said, adding that the public now feels misled by both the BJP and AAP.

He also pointed to ongoing issues like stubble burning, vehicular emissions, broken roads, construction dust, industrial pollution and illegal factories, accusing the government of failing to address the core causes.