Politics · India · 10 hrs ago
Delhi smog after Diwali sparks political dispute over pollution
Delhi was covered in smog the day after Diwali, and several monitoring stations recorded an Air Quality Index above 400, near the severe category.
BJP leader Kapil Mishra accused Punjab of a deliberate rise in stubble burning to worsen Delhi’s air, but the article gives no independent confirmation of that claim.
Mishra said satellite data showed fires at 125 locations on November 7 and 1,200 on November 8, and called for an investigation by Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann.
Congress leader Pawan Khera said readings were missing at 25 of Delhi’s 39 stations between 2 and 3 a.m.
on November 9, and demanded an explanation from the Delhi government.
The article does not establish why the readings were unavailable or whether pollution data was suppressed.
The political dispute involves the BJP, AAP and Congress, with BJP leaders also blaming earlier Congress and AAP governments for failing to address pollution.
Mishra called for an investigation, while Khera sought an explanation; the article does not say what action will follow.
Delhi was covered by thick smog on November 9, a day after Diwali, with several monitoring stations recording an Air Quality Index above 400.
BJP leaders accused the AAP government in Punjab of allowing stubble fires to worsen Delhi’s pollution during the festival.
Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned why pollution readings were missing from several Delhi monitoring stations overnight.
The BJP, AAP and Congress traded accusations over responsibility for the pollution and the reliability of the data.
- Who
- Delhi BJP leaders, Congress leader Pawan Khera and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) traded accusations.
- What
- Smog and high pollution after Diwali prompted a political dispute over stubble burning and missing air-quality readings.
- When
- November 9, 2026, the day after Diwali celebrations.
- Where
- Delhi, with BJP allegations also referring to stubble fires in Punjab.
- Why
- BJP leaders alleged that stubble burning in Punjab worsened Delhi’s pollution; Khera questioned the missing monitoring data.
BJP leaders
Congress leader Pawan Khera
Responsibility for pollution
BJP leaders
BJP leaders blamed previous Congress and AAP governments and alleged the AAP government in Punjab allowed stubble burning to worsen Delhi’s air.
Congress leader Pawan Khera
Khera blamed the BJP government for failing to address the pollution crisis.
Air-quality readings
BJP leaders
BJP leaders focused on alleged stubble fires as a cause of the pollution.
Congress leader Pawan Khera
Khera said PM2.5 readings were missing at 25 of Delhi’s 39 monitoring stations between 2 and 3 a.m. and demanded an explanation.
Mishra said stubble burning was recorded at 125 locations in Punjab.
Mishra said the recorded number of stubble-burning locations rose to 1,200 on Diwali.
Khera said PM2.5 readings were unavailable at 25 of Delhi’s 39 monitoring stations.
Thick smog engulfed Delhi, and several monitoring stations recorded an AQI above 400.
- AQI
- Above 400 at several monitoring stations
- Stubble-burning locations, November 7
- 125, according to Mishra
- Stubble-burning locations, November 8
- 1,200, according to Mishra
- Missing PM2.5 readings
- 25 of Delhi’s 39 monitoring stations, between 2 and 3 a.m. on November 8–9
What people are saying
The data proves that this was a premeditated move, and fields in Punjab were set on fire
This is a really serious matter. This is a conspiracy against farmers, against Diwali, against Delhi, against Punjab
There were no PM2.5 readings recorded at 25 of Delhi’s 39 monitoring stations between 2 and 3 a.m. on the night of November 8–9. WHY?
Whatever the reason, the government owes the people of Delhi an explanation