AAPs Saurabh Bhardwaj Challenges Claims Linking Punjab Stubble Burning to Delhi Pollution
AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj disputes claims that Punjabs stubble burning significantly contributes to Delhis pollution levels.
New Delhi, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has taken aim at the central government over the escalating air pollution in Delhi. Saurabh Bhardwaj, the party’s Delhi president, cited data from the government agency SAFAR, asserting that on the night of Diwali, the contribution of stubble burning from Punjab to Delhi’s pollution was negligible, nearly zero. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of deliberately defaming Punjab’s farmers to cover up its own failures.
Bhardwaj explained that the wind direction around Diwali was towards Pakistan, preventing smoke from Punjab’s stubble burning from reaching Delhi. During a media interaction on November 10, he noted that SAFAR assesses various pollution sources in the capital. On November 8, the day before Diwali, the contribution of stubble smoke to Delhi’s pollution was recorded at about five percent. However, he pointed out that this figure does not clarify whether the smoke originated from Punjab, Haryana, or Uttar Pradesh. On Diwali night, November 9, the contribution from stubble burning was reported as negligible.
He argued that SAFAR’s data contradicts claims made by BJP leaders and ministers in the Delhi government, who have blamed Punjab’s stubble burning for the capital’s pollution. Bhardwaj specifically targeted Delhi minister Kapil Mishra, suggesting that BJP leaders were using such statements to distract from their government’s shortcomings. He raised questions about the wind patterns, noting that the prevailing easterly winds were directing smoke towards Pakistan.
According to Bhardwaj, if the smoke was moving towards Pakistan, it is perplexing why BJP leaders were concerned. He explained that pollution does not travel instantaneously; it moves according to wind speed and direction, which can take two to three days to cover long distances. Thus, linking stubble burning on Diwali directly to Delhi’s pollution overlooks scientific facts.
Bhardwaj claimed that as soon as he presented the SAFAR data to the media, the agency’s website went offline. He questioned why the website needed to be shut down after the data was made public and demanded clarification from both the central and Delhi governments.
He also criticized the government for its handling of firecracker usage and pollution monitoring during Diwali. Despite a significant amount of firecrackers being set off this year, he noted that many air quality index (AQI) monitoring stations were closed, similar to last year. He alleged that this was done to obscure the true levels of pollution. If monitoring stations are not operational, accurate data cannot be obtained, making it impossible for the government to inform the public about the actual pollution situation.
Bhardwaj referenced media reports from last year regarding the closure of monitoring stations after Diwali, suggesting that this year the same issue persists. He mentioned a Supreme Court hearing on firecrackers, where it was revealed that there is insufficient data linking firecrackers to increased pollution. He questioned why there has been no serious investigation into the previous concerns regarding monitoring station closures and alleged discrepancies in pollution data.
He stated that a written complaint had been submitted to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) regarding the alleged manipulation of pollution data, yet no substantial action has been seen from the relevant authorities. Bhardwaj described this situation as alarming, asserting that the Delhi government seeks to avoid revealing the true pollution figures. Despite the government’s silence, he noted that citizens are using personal devices to measure pollution levels and sharing their findings on social media, raising doubts about the government’s claims.
Bhardwaj challenged the government to address the real causes of rising pollution in Delhi rather than targeting Punjab’s farmers. He called for transparent data on pollution sources, the impact of firecrackers, and the status of AQI monitoring stations, so that residents can understand the true pollution situation in the capital.
