Overview
- Yogi Adityanath defended bursting firecrackers and said any post-Diwali rise in air pollution would be temporary and would be mitigated, comments he made at a public event Wednesday.
- The Uttar Pradesh government confirmed it did not impose a ban or restrictions on fireworks this year and the chief minister said he took part in Ayodhya celebrations.
- Adityanath delivered the remarks while handing out appointment letters to 1,146 junior assistants and disbursing about Rs 215 crore under a state welfare scheme.
- Opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party spokesperson Abbas Haider, said the chief minister should answer questions on jobs, transparent recruitment and paper leaks instead of using political rhetoric.
- Coverage notes that courts, cities and civil groups have in past years imposed bans or advisories after Diwali because short-term AQI spikes can harm public health, so critics say the government's mitigation claim needs specific measures such as monitoring, advisories or temporary limits.