Delhi pollution row as AAP alleges data fraud and BJP claims conspiracy
Political parties have clashed over worsening air quality in Delhi and a spike in Punjab stubble-burning incidents on Diwali.
Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the brink of the 'severe' category on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 371 at 10 am. The smog follows Diwali celebrations, as several monitoring stations recorded AQI readings above 400 across the capital.
According to reports from India TV and The Hindu, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has accused the government of manipulating AQI data. AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged that official figures understate pollution, claiming levels exceeded 3,000 in some areas on Diwali night.
Bhardwaj further alleged that monitoring stations were shut down and that water was being sprayed on sensors in polluted areas to alter readings. He also claimed that 20 new AQI stations were installed in remote, green parts of the city to misrepresent the actual situation.
BJP leader and Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra has countered by alleging a conspiracy in Punjab. Mishra claimed that stubble-burning incidents jumped from 125 locations on November 7 to 1,200 on November 8, coinciding with Diwali.
Mishra alleged that these fires were a premeditated move to worsen Delhi's air quality and called for an investigation into AAP leaders. He urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to file FIRs and check the phone records of party members.
Congress leader Pawan Khera also questioned the data, noting that PM 2.5 readings were missing from 25 of Delhi's 39 monitoring stations between 2 am and 3 am on the night of November 8–9.