Yogi Adityanath downplays Diwali pollution concerns, says ‘it will subside’
Yogi Adityanath dismisses concerns over post-Diwali pollution, defends firecracker celebrations and questions critics over corruption
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday (November 11) brushed aside concerns over rising pollution after Diwali, saying the increase would subside. He also questioned why critics were raising the issue of firecrackers while remaining silent about people who, according to him, had polluted the system through corruption.
Speaking at a government programme in Lucknow, Adityanath said Diwali had been celebrated with enthusiasm across the state. He dismissed calls for concern over the pollution caused by the festivities.
Dismisses concerns over Diwali pollution
"Some people are saying that pollution has increased because of Diwali. So what if it has increased? It will subside as well. Why are you worried?" he said.
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The Chief Minister then drew a comparison between pollution caused by firecrackers and what he described as corruption within the system.
"Those who have polluted the entire system through their corrupt deeds are not questioned. But if the public bursts firecrackers and celebrates with fireworks for one day, suddenly pollution becomes an issue," he added.
‘Nothing wrong with firecrackers in Diwali celebrations’
Adityanath maintained that people had done nothing wrong by celebrating the festival with firecrackers. He said his government had decided against imposing restrictions on the celebrations.
"People celebrated Diwali with great enthusiasm and burst plenty of firecrackers. We had said that we would not impose any restrictions. Let people burst firecrackers and celebrate," the chief minister said.
Also Read: No crackers, just sweets for Diwali: How a TN village makes room for migratory birds
He also referred to his presence at the fireworks celebrations in Ayodhya, where he had joined the festivities.
"I was also there in Ayodhya during the fireworks celebrations," he said.
Taking an apparent dig at those questioning the celebrations, he said people did not object when corruption allegedly damaged the system but raised concerns when citizens celebrated festivals.
"When something wrong happens, these people don't speak up, but when a festival is celebrated, they suddenly remember pollution," he said.
CM contrasts present festivals with pre-2017 period
Adityanath also referred to the grand Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya and the festivities surrounding Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, saying festivals were now being celebrated peacefully across the state.
He contrasted the present situation with the period before 2017 -- when the BJP was not in power -- claiming that festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Vijayadashami, Janmashtami, Shivratri, Christmas, Eid, Guru Parv and Makar Sankranti were often preceded by communal tensions and riots under previous governments.
Also Read: CPCB explains why its post-Diwali AQI readings didn’t breach 500
"Before 2017, whenever any festival approached, be it Holi, Diwali, Vijayadashami, Janmashtami, Shivratri, Christmas, Eid, Guru Parv or Makar Sankranti, riots would begin. Every person felt insecure," he said.
Adityanath said curfews during that period had affected traders, with markets remaining shut and goods brought by shopkeepers left to perish.
"Over the last nine-and-a-half years, there has been no curfew and no riot in Uttar Pradesh. No curfew, no riots, and everything is thriving in Uttar Pradesh," he said.
Free bus travel for women on Bhai Dooj
He also mentioned the state government's decision to provide free bus travel to women aged 60 years and above travelling to meet their brothers on Bhai Dooj.
The programme was organised for distributing appointment letters to 1,146 newly selected junior assistants in the Revenue Department and financial assistance to 4,300 beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana.
(With agency inputs)