The BJP leader claimed satellite data shows stubble burning locations increased tenfold on November 8 compared to the previous day.
Delhi Minister and BJP leader Kapil Mishra on Monday alleged a conspiracy behind a sudden surge in Punjab stubble burning incidents on Diwali. According to reports by The Economic Times and ANI, Mishra claimed that satellite data showed the number of fire locations rose from 125 on November 7 to 1,200 on November 8.
Mishra stated that the government received calls from Punjab farmers on the evening of Diwali, alleging that unidentified people were setting their fields on fire while they celebrated the festival at home. He described the increase as a premeditated move and a targeted campaign to defame the festival and Sanatan.
The minister accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders of orchestrating the fires to ensure smoke reached Delhi on November 8 and 9. He urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to register FIRs at all affected locations and investigate AAP members who travelled from Delhi to Punjab. Mishra also demanded that the phone records of these leaders be examined.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has recorded 4,459 stubble burning incidents in Punjab as of November 8. Of these, physical inspections at 2,998 sites confirmed burning at 1,310 locations. The CAQM has registered FIRs in 884 cases and initiated prosecution against 18 nodal officers.
As air pollution levels rose, the Delhi Technological University recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 439 at 10 am on Monday.
