The ongoing conflict between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has intensified over the issue of stubble burning in Punjab, with both parties exchanging accusations. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has accused the Punjab government, led by AAP, of deliberately allowing stubble burning to aggravate air pollution in the national capital.
Accusations and Counterclaims
During a recent press conference, Sirsa presented a video purportedly depicting farm fires in Punjab and claimed to possess evidence of 271 First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in various Punjab districts. He alleged that the police in Punjab were involved in lighting these fires themselves, only to register cases against unidentified individuals. “This is not the farmers’ doing,” Sirsa stated, “but rather the actions of police personnel.” He accused the Punjab government of seeking retribution against Delhi residents.
In response, the AAP in Punjab, which faces elections early next year, has rejected these allegations. The party claimed that the BJP is distorting the truth to malign Punjab’s farmers and to divert attention from the BJP-led government’s failure to manage pollution in Delhi. The AAP’s official social media account criticized Sirsa, urging him to stop spreading falsehoods about Punjab’s farmers and police.
Pollution Statistics and Political Appointments
Sirsa highlighted that Delhi experienced 220 ‘Good to Moderate’ air quality days from January to October, as verified by the Union Environment Ministry, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 166 in October. He questioned the appointment of Reena Gupta, an AAP spokesperson, as the chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board, suggesting a possible connection to Arvind Kejriwal.
Furthermore, Sirsa claimed that a substantial sum of money, estimated between Rs 20-25 crore, was spent on advertisements asserting there was no stubble burning in Punjab. This expenditure was allegedly aimed at misleading the public.
Current Stubble Burning Situation
According to official data, Punjab recorded 1,612 incidents of farm fires between September 15 and November 2. Tarn Taran reported the highest number of cases at 489, followed by Ferozepur and Amritsar with 193 and 192 incidents, respectively. Authorities have registered 423 FIRs and imposed environmental compensation exceeding Rs 29 lakh across 573 cases. Show-cause notices have been issued to several nodal and supervisory officers, with the total reaching 536 by November 1.
The AAP-led government in Punjab cites a significant reduction in farm fires, from 36,663 in 2023 to 5,114 in 2025, as evidence of their efforts to control the issue.
Source: NDTV India
