Supreme Court suggests shutting down Delhi over air pollution caused by stubble burning in Punjab

A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) N.V. Ramana, Justices D.Y. Chandrachud, and Surya Kant on Saturday (November 13) suggested a rather stupefying arrangement to tackle the pollution problem, currently engulfing the capital city. The court suggested that the capital could be shut for two days so that the hazardous AQI could be brought down.

The CJI told the Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, “..see some percentage of contribution is stubble burning, rest is pollution in Delhi, particularly crackers, industries, dust, etc. Take immediate control measures. Tell us how we can reduce AQI from 500 at least by 200 points. Take some urgent measures. Can you think of two days lockdown or something? How can people live? We will look at a long term solution later,”

The CJI stressed that the bench wanted quick results, “You have to look at this issue beyond politics and government. Something must happen so that in two to three days we feel better”.

It has become a fashion for you to bash farmers: Court raps Delhi government:

According to a live law report, after senior advocate Rahul Mehra (appearing for the Delhi Government) mentioned the issue of stubble burning by farmers of Punjab and other neighboring states of Delhi, the bench did not appear amused.

It remarked, “now it has become a fashion to bash the farmers whether its Delhi govt or someone else. There was ban on firecrackers, what happened with that? What was the Delhi police doing?”

Moreover, the apex court asked the Kejriwal government what it was doing on the said front to curb pollution. “This is not the Centre’s but your jurisdiction. What is happening on that front?” After the court’s rap, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal called an emergency meeting today at 5pm.

Continuing the monologue, Justice Chandrachud added, “Post pandemic schools have been opened, we are exposing little children to this at 7 in the morning ! Like Dr Gulleria said, there’s pandemic there’s pollution!”

Also read: Arvind Kejriwal has appointed men with hose pipes to clean the Yamuna

Kejriwal spent over 900 crores on pollution ads:

Meanwhile, questions are being asked to the Kejriwal government by the opposition for failing to do anything to counter the pollution problem. Amit Malviya, in charge of BJP’s national information and technology department, recently remarked that the AAP government in the last 7 years had spent Rs 940 crores on pollution ads alone.

He tweeted, “Arvind Kejriwal has spent 940 crores on pollution ads in the last 7 years but has done nothing else to tackle the problem. Delhi is choking but no question is being asked of him because he has bought the media’s silence through big media spending. Instead, crackers are being blamed.”

Arvind Kejriwal has spent 940 crore on pollution ads in the last 7 years but has done nothing else to tackle the problem. Delhi is choking but no question is being asked of him because he has bought media’s silence through big media spend. Instead crackers are being blamed. pic.twitter.com/SfiJMZkDQ8

— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) November 7, 2021

Also read: Kejriwal’s web of lies leaves Yamuna doomed to remain polluted

Like the years gone by, Delhi has become a toxic gas chamber with the advent of winter season. However, given the devastating economic repercussions we have witnessed due to the lockdowns in the last one and a half years, one would like to pray that the court’s suggestion was simply rhetoric.