Atishi blames Centre for Delhi pollution: BJP-ruled states lead in stubble burning

Delhi CM Atishi criticised the Centre for its inaction on stubble burning, worsening air quality in North India. She called it a health emergency, urging the government to focus on solutions rather than politics.

In Short

• She urges Centre to focus on solutions, not political rhetoric
• North India faces health emergency with severe AQI levels
• Atishi calls for national solution; criticises BJP's mask distribution

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has raised serious concerns over the worsening air quality in the city, accusing the Centre and BJP of inaction. Stubble burning is rampant across Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, UP, and Rajasthan, yet the central government remains passive, said the Delhi Chief Minister, stressing that it is the central government's responsibility to find a nationwide solution to the stubble burning crisis.

Addressing the media, she highlighted the distress faced by Delhi residents, saying, “People are struggling to breathe. Last night, I received numerous calls—some were rushing elderly family members to hospitals, while others were seeking steroids for their children.”

“North India is facing a health emergency today, with cities across the region recording ‘severe’ and ‘very poor’ AQI levels.”

Providing data on stubble burning, she acknowledged that Punjab had made significant progress in reducing such incidents to 8,404 this year while cases of stubble burning have increased in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

“There is a 60% increase in cases of stubble burning in Uttar Pradesh while Madhya Pradesh currently has the highest rate of stubble burning, with over 700 incidents reported daily,” Atishi said.

“For the past six to seven years, stubble burning incidents have been increasing across the country,” Atishi said. “If Punjab can achieve an 80% reduction, why can’t other states? Hospitals in cities throughout North India are overwhelmed. The central government needs to stop playing politics and take decisive action.”

Atishi urged the BJP and the central government to understand that “pollution does not recognize state borders or political affiliations. It affects every child, regardless of whether they belong to an AAP or BJP family.”

She called for immediate measures to address what she termed a “medical emergency,” asking the government to step up rather than merely engage in political rhetoric.

Commenting on the BJP’s distribution of masks in Delhi, Atishi said, “Instead of engaging in politics, the central government should focus on real solutions.”

She pointed out that cities like Bahadurgarh, Patna, Lucknow, and Bhiwani are also experiencing severe pollution levels.

“Is the Delhi government responsible for stubble burning in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP is in power?” she questioned, stressing that it is the central government's responsibility to find a nationwide solution to the stubble burning crisis.