Delhi’s Environment Minister has alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is actively pressuring farmers in Punjab to burn stubble, contributing to Delhi’s air pollution crisis. Manjinder Singh Sirsa claimed that farmers are being compelled to burn crop residue while concealing their identities, as evidenced by videos from Tarn Taran and Bathinda. He suggested this action is part of a deliberate strategy by the AAP.
Sirsa also accused the AAP of exploiting religious sentiments for political gain, citing the ban on firecrackers in Delhi as an attempt to appease a specific community during Diwali. He criticized prominent AAP figures for their public stance against Diwali celebrations, emphasizing its importance as a Hindu festival and questioning why the party is attacking it.
In parallel, Punjab has seen a significant increase in stubble burning incidents, with 308 cases reported. Tarn Taran and Amritsar are among the districts with the highest numbers, according to the Punjab Pollution Control Board. This recurring environmental issue is a major contributor to the smog that blankets Delhi-NCR each year, as farmers struggle with the tight schedule for sowing the winter wheat crop after harvesting paddy.