New Delhi: Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Monday strongly criticized opposition leaders for calling Diwali a “sin” and urging people to refrain from celebrating the festival.
Addressing a press conference, Sirsa said, “It’s shocking that Sanjay Singh and his colleagues are calling Diwali a sin and asking people to stop celebrating. They’re even targeting BJP leaders. Let’s be clear, Diwali is not a BJP festival; it’s a Sanatan Hindu festival.”
The minister accused the opposition of insulting a sacred tradition to divert attention from their political failures. “The same party that failed for ten years is now blaming Diwali for pollution, a false narrative to appease a section of voters,” he said.
Sirsa also took aim at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, saying, “These are the words of those who admire Aurangzeb and Akbar, who even put up the picture of Tipu Sultan in the Vidhan Sabha. Arvind ‘Khan’ Kejriwal is trying to hide his failures by defaming a festival sacred to millions.”
The comments come amid ongoing debates over the environmental impact of Diwali celebrations in Delhi, with the opposition highlighting pollution concerns linked to firecrackers.
