By
Delhi Pollution Row: Environment Minister Sirsa Accuses AAP of Burning Waste to Spike AQI; Kejriwal Denies Charge
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of deliberately burning garbage to worsen air pollution in the national capital, triggering a sharp political confrontation amid deteriorating air quality.
Addressing a press conference, Sirsa alleged that AAP leaders were indulging in “dirty politics” by setting waste on fire to push up the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI). “I say this with regret that AAP is deliberately burning waste. They are praying that AQI increases. They don’t care about the people of Delhi,” he said.
Trilokpuri Incident Cited
Citing an incident from Trilokpuri, Sirsa said a local MLA informed him that an AAP councillor had set garbage ablaze in his ward and later recorded a video of the burning waste. The minister was referring to footage shared by AAP councillor Vijay Kumar showing a heap of garbage on fire, releasing thick smoke into the already polluted air.
“I request Arvind Kejriwal with folded hands — please don’t do such dirty politics. Your children also live in Delhi. Don’t harm your own people,” Sirsa said.
New Pollution Curbs Announced
The allegations came as the Delhi government announced fresh measures to curb pollution, including:
- 50% work from home for offices
- Mandatory Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates for vehicles
- Denial of fuel to vehicles without valid PUC
- Ban on trucks carrying construction material into Delhi
- Restriction on non-BS6 vehicles entering the capital
“We are continuously working to improve air quality. These are significant steps to reduce emissions,” Sirsa told reporters, according to ANI.
VIDEO | "AAP intentionally setting fire to garbage, urge them to stop politicising pollution in Delhi," says Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/19lilNbIAk
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 17, 2025
AAP Hits Back
Responding to the accusations, AAP rejected the claims and accused Sirsa of spreading falsehoods. The party said the minister had a “habit of indulging in lies and fraud”.
“AAP has nothing to do with garbage burning. If the minister has evidence, he should file an FIR instead of making fake claims,” the party said, also alleging that Sirsa manipulated AQI readings by shutting monitoring stations and spraying water on sensors.
Delhi AQI Remains ‘Very Poor’
Delhi recorded an AQI of 334 (‘very poor’) on Wednesday, after briefly touching the ‘severe plus’ category over the weekend with readings above 400 for three consecutive days. Several areas, including Anand Vihar, remained engulfed in dense smog, with local AQI touching 341.
Despite marginal improvement, hazardous air quality continues to pose serious health risks across the city.
