New Delhi: Amidst the ongoing debate over air pollution in Delhi-NCR, Congress MP Imran Masood has given such a statement, which has created a political controversy. Referring to Diwali and pollution, Masood, Lok Sabha MP from Saharanpur, said that this is a man-made problem and people will have to become aware themselves to deal with it. He said that no matter who the government is, the problem of pollution cannot be solved by relying only on it. His statement came while reacting to the social media post of Delhi Government Minister Kapil Mishra.
Is Imran Masood angry at Kapil Mishra’s comments?
Imran Masood targeted Kapil Mishra and said that some people only talk negative. He said, “These people are mentally disturbed. They only talk negative.” Masood further said that whether it is Diwali or pollution, it is a man-made problem. People need to be aware of this. He clarified that too much cannot be expected from the government in this matter. Whether it is their party in power or another party, solving the problem is not possible without people’s participation.
Are the pollution levels in Delhi and Saharanpur extremely worrying?
The MP also mentioned the pollution of Delhi and Saharanpur in his statement. He claimed that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi had reached 1710, while in Saharanpur the figure was recorded at 600 at night. However, according to the data of the Central Pollution Control Board till 6 am on November 10, the AQI of many areas of Delhi was above 300. It was recorded at 400 in Chandni Chowk and 398 in Pusa. Commonwealth Sports Complex recorded 380, Mathura Road 372 and IIT Delhi 361. In this way, the difference between the MP’s claim regarding the severity of pollution and the official monitoring data also came to light.
Did the prime minister’s comment on Naxalism on Diwali also upset him?
Imran Masood also reacted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement regarding celebrating Diwali with soldiers in Bastar and ending Naxalism. He said that such things should not be said on the day of Diwali. Raising the question, he said, “Who all will we eliminate?” At the same time, Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput welcomed the Prime Minister’s decision to celebrate Diwali with paramilitary forces. He said that celebrating the festival with the soldiers is a welcome step. Different stances were also seen in the reactions of Congress leaders on this issue.
Did Masood also raise questions about the Election Commission?
Apart from pollution, Imran Masood also targeted the functioning of the Election Commission. Masood raised questions on the Commission in the context of the comments made by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Congress and Rahul Gandhi regarding the Special Intensive Review (SIR). He alleged that the Election Commission was working under pressure and was repeatedly withdrawing its orders in panic. Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput also raised questions on the SIR process and asked, ‘If this process is completely correct then why is there a need to conduct SSR again?’
Will the rhetoric between Congress and BJP increase on the issue of pollution?
Congress leader Udit Raj also objected to Kapil Mishra’s remarks. He said that people are suffocating due to pollution in Delhi and instead of solving the problem, efforts are being made to take the issue in another direction. Taking aim at Kapil Mishra, he said that there is pollution in his mind. Amidst the worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR, these statements of the leaders have turned the issue of pollution into a political debate. Now it has to be seen what reaction comes from BJP on this statement.
