Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has dismissed concerns over rising pollution after Diwali, saying any increase in pollution caused by firecrackers would eventually subside. He also questioned why critics focused on festival celebrations but remained silent about corruption, which he said had “polluted the entire system”.
Speaking at a government programme in Lucknow on Wednesday, Adityanath defended the use of firecrackers, saying his government had not imposed restrictions on Diwali celebrations and had allowed people to celebrate freely.
“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.
“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.
Yogi Adityanath Says Diwali Celebrations Should Not Face Restrictions
The chief minister said people had celebrated Diwali with enthusiasm and that he had also taken part in the fireworks celebrations in Ayodhya.
Referring to the Deepotsav celebrations in Ayodhya, along with Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, Adityanath said festivals were now being celebrated peacefully across Uttar Pradesh.
He also criticised those raising concerns about pollution during festivals, saying they did not speak up when corruption allegedly damaged public institutions.
CM Claims No Riots or Curfews in UP Since 2017
Adityanath compared the current situation with the period before 2017, when the BJP came to power in Uttar Pradesh. He claimed that festivals were frequently accompanied by communal tensions and riots under previous governments.
“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.
He further claimed that Uttar Pradesh had witnessed no curfew or riots over the past nine-and-a-half years. According to him, curfews under previous governments had forced markets to shut, affecting traders and leaving their goods unsold.
“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.
Programme Distributes Appointment Letters and Financial Aid
The government programme was organised to distribute appointment letters to 1,146 newly selected junior assistants in the Revenue Department.
The event also saw the release of financial assistance for 4,300 beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana, a scheme that provides support to families of farmers in cases of accidental death or disability.
Adityanath also referred to the state government’s decision to provide free bus travel to women aged 60 and above travelling to meet their brothers on Bhai Dooj.
His remarks came amid renewed debate over the impact of Diwali firecrackers on air quality. In Delhi and the National Capital Region, the Air Quality Index reached the severe category after the celebrations, with official readings touching 483 on Monday morning. Private monitoring platforms reported even higher readings in some areas.
