"No coincidence": Manjinder Sirsa accuses AAP-led Punjab govt of provoking stubble burning to target Delhi administration

New Delhi [India], October 21 (ANI): Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government of pressuring farmers to burn stubble to worsen Delhi's air quality and politically target the Rekha Gupta administration.
He alleged that the surge in stubble-burning incidents over the past few days was "no coincidence" and claimed that farmers were being provoked to ignite fires for political gain.
"Over the past four days, stubble-burning incidents in Punjab have surged sharply and this is no coincidence. Farmers are being pressured and provoked to burn stubble so that pollution in Delhi can be used politically to target the Delhi Government," Sirsa told reporters.
The Minister strongly condemned AAP leaders' recent remarks on Diwali celebrations, saying, "Arvind Kejriwal and his team are trying to politicise a sacred festival. Diwali is not the property of any political party; it is the festival of India's soul. Calling Diwali a 'sin' is an insult to our faith and culture."

He added, "This is the same party that banned crackers to please one section of voters, and now labels those celebrating Diwali as 'wrongdoers'. These are the same people who once opposed Lord Shri Ram inside the Assembly."
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 351 as of 4 pm today.
The pollution rate at Lodhi Road was 343; meanwhile, in Sirifort, it was 274. The AQI in Greater Noida and Ghaziabad was 282 and 324, respectively.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good,' 51 and 100 'satisfactory,' 101 and 200 'moderate,' 201 and 300 'poor,' 301 and 400 'very poor,' and 401 and 500 'severe.'
Meanwhile, the health experts have raised concerns about the rising Air Quality Index (AQI) and its impact on vulnerable groups, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments.
The festive season, seasonal weather changes, and increased stubble burning in neighbouring states have exacerbated pollution levels, prompting calls for preventive measures.
The Supreme Court had relaxed its earlier blanket prohibition on fireworks in the national capital and permitted the sale and use of green fireworks with some conditions.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had imposed Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region with immediate effect on Sunday. (ANI)