New Delhi: A fresh political confrontation has erupted between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over stubble burning in Punjab, with both sides trading accusations over the worsening air pollution in Delhi.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused the AAP government in Punjab of deliberately encouraging stubble burning to increase pollution levels in the national capital. He alleged that Punjab Police personnel were setting agricultural fires themselves and subsequently registering cases against unidentified individuals to create an impression that action was being taken against farmers.
At a press conference, Sirsa presented a video purportedly showing farm fires and claimed to have copies of 271 FIRs registered in different Punjab districts. He alleged that more than 1,000 incidents had taken place and accused the Punjab government of misleading the public about the situation.
Sirsa further claimed that the alleged activities were intended to create difficulties for Delhi and questioned the Punjab government’s handling of agricultural fires.
The AAP strongly rejected the allegations, accusing the BJP of deliberately misrepresenting a photograph showing officials extinguishing a stubble fire. The party maintained that the image was being presented out of context to suggest that Punjab Police personnel were encouraging farm fires.
AAP accused the BJP government in Delhi of failing to control pollution despite its criticism of Punjab farmers. It also urged Sirsa to stop making allegations against Punjab’s farmers and police.
Sirsa also highlighted Delhi’s air quality performance, stating that the capital recorded 220 days of good to moderate air quality between January and October. He questioned the appointment of AAP spokesperson Reena Gupta as Punjab Pollution Control Board chairperson and alleged that significant public money had been spent on advertisements denying the extent of stubble burning.
1,612 Farm Fires Reported in Punjab
Official figures recorded 1,612 farm fires in Punjab between September 15 and November 2. Tarn Taran reported the highest number at 489, followed by Ferozepur with 193 and Amritsar with 192 incidents.
Authorities registered 423 FIRs and imposed more than Rs 29 lakh in environmental compensation across 573 cases. The number of show-cause notices issued to nodal and supervisory officers also increased to 536 by November 1.
The Punjab government has previously highlighted a decline in farm fires, from 36,663 incidents in 2023 to 5,114 in 2025, as part of its efforts to address stubble burning.
