'Why Stop Those Who Celebrate Diwali': BJP Attacks Kejriwal Govt Over Delhi Cracker Ban

Delhi BJP vice-president Kapil Mishra on Tuesday opposed the ban on bursting crackers during Diwali for the third consecutive year.

Delhi BJP vice-president Kapil Mishra. (Image Source: File Photo)

The Delhi BJP lambasted the Arvind Kejriwal government for reimposing a ban on Diwali fireworks, accusing it of taking decision with "bad intentions," news agency PTI reported. The Delhi BJP urged that the government to permit green fireworks. The BJP leaders also claimed that the government had failed to control the city's air pollution. Delhi BJP vice-president Kapil Mishra on Tuesday opposed the ban on bursting crackers during Diwali for the third consecutive year. "Despite Supreme Court's order, you are keeping people away even from green crackers. Why is there a complete ban on crackers every year on Diwali? This decision is taken with bad intentions. This (the ban) has nothing do to with pollution," Mishra stated. 

"If you wanted to stop the pollution [in Delhi], why did you not implement the 16 steps that you highlighted in your affidavit before the Supreme Court," Mishra sought to ask. 

"Recall the promise you made to the people before the Punjab elections... that you have the solution to curb the pollution due to stubble burning. You stated that in collaboration with PUSA, you developed a new technology. Where is that solution? Around Rs 60 crore from Delhi was invested in advertisements, highlighting your promise of curbing pollution due to stubble burning. Now, you are in power in Punjab and it is due to stubble burning that people in Delhi suffer. Still, you have not taken any step to curb that," Mishra said further.

VIDEO | "Despite Supreme Court's order, you are keeping people away even from green crackers. Why is there a complete ban on crackers every year on Diwali? This decision is taken with bad intentions. This (the ban) has nothing do to with pollution," says BJP leader… pic.twitter.com/QvTiVk76un

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Highlighting a report by IIT Delhi, Mishra stated: "A report by IIT-Delhi says that crackers are source of only two per cent pollution. How is the Delhi government going to tackle the rest 98 per cent pollution? Where is the policy for it?"

Opposition Leader Ramvir Singh Bidhuri remarked that polluting crackers should be banned in terms of sales and storage, while green crackers should be allowed to be used.