Desk |
Updated: Oct 30, 2024 05:29 IST
New Delhi [India], October 30 (Desk): Bharatiya Janata Party leader Dinesh Sharma lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party-led Delhi government over its blanket ban on firecrackers, questioning why the prohibition applies only during Hindu festivals and not during Christmas or New Year.
Terming the ban as a “conspiracy against Sanatan Dharma,” Sharma said that the bans by the Delhi government only come into effect on Hindu festivals such as Holi and Diwali.
The BJP MP also asked why pollution becomes a problem in the national capital only when the opposition is in power.
Speaking to Desk, Dinesh Sharma said, “They will impose the ban now, but when the real fog starts on December 25, they will lift the ban. When on January 1, they’ll celebrate New Year’s, everyone will burn firecrackers, and the ban will be lifted.”
“We stand by the measures that are implemented for curbing pollution. There are many ways to curb it, but why are there only bans on Hindu festivals? The Delhi government will put a complete ban on crackers on Diwali and restrict the use of colours on Holi. What objection do you have to Hindu festivals?” questioned Sharma.
He also took a jibe at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal over his promise of cleaning Yamuna River and the issue of stubble burning.
“AAP workers and not the farmers are burning stubble in Punjab to spread artificial pollution. He (Arvind Kejriwal) used to say that he would take a dip in Yamuna after 5 years, but they have polluted the river,” the BJP MP said.
“This is a conspiracy against Sanatan, why does pollution exist in Delhi only and only when ruled by the opposition?” he further alleged.
Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav also took a dig at former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo and said he might have forgotten his new promises but the people of Delhi won’t forgive him.
“A lot of promises have been made. Kejriwal ji promised that he would clean up River Yamuna, and provide free electricity and water. But those promises are forgotten. But the people of Delhi are not going to forgive them,” Yadav said.
Meanwhile, as the national capital gears up for Diwali celebrations, the Delhi government has ramped up its efforts to curb pollution through various measures, one of which is the enforcement of a total ban on firecrackers.
“79 cases related to the sale and storage of firecrackers have been registered and approximately 19,005 kg of firecrackers have been seized so far,” Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai’s Office stated.
To ensure the effective implementation of the firecrackers ban, 77 teams of the Revenue Department and 300 teams of Delhi Police have been mobilized across the national capital.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai took stock of firecracker ban enforcement in a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday.
He instructed Delhi Police to hold meetings with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), market associations, and religious committees to spread public awareness.
Earlier on Monday, Gopal Rai launched the ‘Diya Jalao, Patake Nahi’ campaign, urging the public to avoid firecrackers to keep pollution in check.
The AAP leader marked the campaign’s launch by lighting diyas at the Babarpur Bus Terminal, stating, “Collective efforts from the public are essential to controlling pollution.”
He encouraged Delhi residents to celebrate Diwali with diyas, explaining that the campaign’s twofold aim is to discourage firecrackers and promote the use of diyas. (Desk)