Allegations have surfaced from Delhi’s Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of orchestrating stubble burning incidents in Punjab. Sirsa presented evidence, including videos from Tarn Taran and Bathinda, claiming farmers were forced to burn stubble with their faces masked, implying a deliberate act to pollute Delhi’s air. He suggested this was part of a larger political strategy by the AAP.
The minister further contended that the AAP is attempting to create divisions by involving religious sentiments. Sirsa reiterated his claim that the prior ban on firecrackers in Delhi during Diwali was a political maneuver to secure votes from specific communities. He condemned AAP leaders for their vocal criticism of Diwali, describing it as a sacred Hindu festival that should not be attacked for political purposes.
Concurrently, Punjab is experiencing a surge in crop residue burning. Official data shows 308 cases recorded across the state, with Tarn Taran and Amritsar being hotspots. The practice of stubble burning is a critical factor contributing to the severe air pollution experienced in Delhi and surrounding areas, driven by the need for farmers to quickly prepare fields for the subsequent Rabi crop after the monsoon season.