'Aurangzeb didn’t succeed, neither will you': BJP trades barbs with AAP over cracker ban

Amid rising pollution levels in national capital, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya hit out at Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for blaming firecrackers as cause for deteriorating AQI, asking government to focus on 'real issues and address m.' Malviya remarked that a similar 'ban' on fireworks was attempted by Mughal ruler Aurangzeb nearly 350 years ago, which was being followed by 'modern incarnations of tyrants' who were blaming Diwali for pollution. leader remarked that like Aurangzeb, attempts to forbid fireworks in this era would also fail.

His tweet came after AAP's Sanjay Singh slammed Delhites defying  ban saying that 'those who had poison in ir minds' would burst firecrackers. On vember 5, Sanjay Singh had written, "Those who have poison in ir mind will burst crackers to put poison in air, orwise what is wisdom to risk lives of ir children?" 

Delhi AQI worsens

Delhi government had anunced a complete ban on crackers till January 1, 2022, ahead of festive season. Moreover, Arvind Kejriwal-led party also ran an aggressive campaign against sale and use of crackers. government had also warned of strict action under relevant IPC provisions and Explosives Act against anyone found burning firecrackers. However, Delhiites woke up to severe air quality in days after vember 4, as people decided to burst firecrackers and defy government's orders. 

According to experts, bursting of firecrackers on Diwali is t only cause for rising AQI levels. Stubble burning in neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana have accounted for 36% of Delhi's PM2.5 pollution on Friday, highest this season so far. " overall air quality of Delhi plunged to upper end of 'severe' category with additional firework emissions… share of stubble emissions has peaked today at 36 per cent," said Gufran Beig, founder-project director of SAFAR.

As per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), PM2.5 in Delhi-NCR rose from 243 micrograms per cubic metre at 6 PM on Diwali to 410 micrograms per cubic metre at 9 AM on Friday. Currently, national capital's air quality index stands in 'severe' zone and has breached 462.

(With ncy Inputs)