BJP claims deliberate conspiracy behind Punjab farm fires worsening Delhi smog

The BJP has leveled accusations of a deliberate conspiracy to worsen air quality in the national capital, pointing to the timing and scale of farm fires in Punjab as evidence of coordinated action. Party representatives have suggested that individuals based in Delhi may be involved in organizing or encouraging the practice, which traditionally peaks during the post-harvest season.

Farm burning in Punjab has long been identified as a major contributor to the severe air pollution episodes that grip Delhi and surrounding regions during October and November. The practice, while economically convenient for farmers clearing crop residue, creates dense smoke that travels across state lines and significantly degrades air quality across northern India.

The allegations come amid recurring winter air quality crises that have prompted the central and state governments to implement various restrictive measures, including curbs on vehicle movement and industrial operations. Environmental experts have consistently attributed the phenomenon to the combination of agricultural burning, meteorological conditions, and vehicular emissions.

The matter remains contentious, with the farm burning issue intersecting agricultural economics, environmental concerns, and interstate politics. Both the central government and Punjab administration have attempted various interventions to reduce the practice, though enforcement remains challenging given the widespread adoption of burning as a residue management method.