West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has publicly defended the conduct of Deepavali celebrations in Kolkata, even as the city grappled with severe air pollution on the night of the festival. Reports indicated that the Air Quality Index (AQI) surged past 500 in several parts of the state capital, while noise levels frequently exceeded legally permissible limits. In response to the growing public concern and the environmental data, state authorities confirmed that approximately 205 individuals were arrested for violating established firecracker regulations.
Addressing the criticism during a media interaction, the Chief Minister dismissed the concerns raised by some residents, attributing the backlash to specific ideological groups. “People will celebrate a little during Diwali and burst green crackers, what is the problem with that? Actually, some people are having a problem because there has been such a Sanatan awakening,” he remarked. Mr. Adhikari asserted that those currently vocal about the environmental impact have historically sidelined religious traditions, turning sacred festivals into mere cultural programmes.
Regarding the enforcement of environmental norms, the Chief Minister acknowledged that while some green firecrackers were detonated after the mandated 10 p.m. cutoff, the administration had taken necessary steps to uphold Supreme Court guidelines. He maintained that the overall situation remained largely under control, noting that police action was taken against violators. However, the discourse surrounding the pollution has intensified, with various political figures and environmental groups offering conflicting perspectives on the public health implications of the festivities.
The debate took an unusual turn with comments from other Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members. BJP MLA Papia Adhikari, speaking at a Kali Puja event in the Tollygunge area, claimed that the act of bursting firecrackers possesses medicinal properties, stating, “You will see that bursting firecrackers will cure many illnesses.” Her statement contrasted sharply with the concerns raised by medical and environmental experts regarding the respiratory risks associated with thick smog and particulate matter.
In a separate development, State Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul suggested an unconventional method to combat the hazardous air quality. Ms. Paul proposed that spraying a mixture of rose water and water could help control air pollution in the city. Her suggestion drew immediate criticism from environmentalists, who argue that such measures are ineffective against the high levels of pollutants currently blanketing the city. Interestingly, Ms. Paul was active on the streets during the night of the festival, coordinating with police personnel to assess noise and air conditions.
The impact of the pollution was also felt by public officials, with BJP MLA Roopa Ganguly expressing her frustration on social media. She highlighted that the persistent noise prevented her from sleeping, explicitly tagging the Kolkata Police in a plea for intervention. The post was eventually deleted, though it underscored the widespread nature of the disruption caused by the non-compliance with noise regulations.
Environmental organisations, including the prominent local platform Sabuj Mancha, have continued to sound the alarm. Members of the group conducted field assessments at various hospitals and public areas, confirming that noise levels remained significantly above the legal threshold throughout the night. The platform has formally urged the state government and the Kolkata Police to implement stricter enforcement of rules in the future to prevent similar health and environmental hazards during festive periods.
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