BJP distributes masks to highlight pollution crisis

Amid Delhi’s worsening air quality, the BJP launched an awareness campaign by distributing masks outside the Central Secretariat Metro Station on Monday.

With the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing a hazardous 475, the party aimed to draw attention to the health crisis and the Delhi Government’s alleged inaction on pollution control.

Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva led the campaign alongside prominent leaders such as Leader of Opposition Vijender Gupta, MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, MP Praveen Khandelwal, national spokesperson RP Singh and media head Praveen Shankar Kapoor. Masks were distributed at the Metro station and nearby bus stops to commuters.

Criticising the Delhi Government, Sachdeva said, “Delhiites are being forced to breathe toxic air. The government’s policies over the last decade have failed to tackle pollution effectively. GRAP-4 restrictions have done little to curb pollution, highlighting the need for a focused approach to reduce dust in Delhi and address stubble burning in Punjab.”

Sachdeva also referred to a letter by Kailash Gahlot addressing pollution concerns, calling it “a rebuttal to former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s claims of action on pollution. Managing events will not solve this crisis; consistent year-round efforts are essential.”

BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri echoed the criticism, adding, “The World Health Organisation has declared Delhi the most polluted capital in the world. The Kejriwal government has failed to improve public transport, with the number of buses dropping from 7,000 in 2013 to 3,500 today. Poorly maintained roads are another major contributor to pollution.”

Highlighting the issue of stubble burning in Punjab, Bidhuri noted, “Incidents have tripled under the AAP government in Punjab, turning Delhi into a gas chamber.”

MP Praveen Khandelwal accused the government of negligence, stating, “The government has done little to address the root causes of pollution.”

Leader of Opposition Gupta pointed to the contradiction in AAP’s stance on stubble burning, remarking, “When AAP wasn’t in power in Punjab, they blamed stubble burning for Delhi’s pollution. Now that they govern Punjab, Kejriwal and his party have gone silent on the issue.”

The BJP leaders called for long-term measures to combat pollution, including road maintenance, improved public transport and robust action against stubble burning, instead of relying solely on temporary restrictions.