Yogi Adityanath dismisses Deepavali pollution concerns, says it will subside

Explained

On 11 November, several Indian outlets reported that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had played down concerns about air pollution after Diwali. His remarks came after reports of heavy smoke and a rise in air pollution readings, particularly in Lucknow and other parts of the state.

What happened

According to Hindustan Times, the chief minister backed the use of firecrackers despite a spike in the Air Quality Index (AQI), and noted that residents in Lucknow and elsewhere had raised alarm over a thick, acrid haze on Diwali night. Times of India and Indian Express carried similar comments, with Indian Express quoting him as saying the pollution would go away and asking why people should worry. NDTV reported that he said the pollution would subside and defended people setting off crackers on the festival.

NDTV also reported that his government had not imposed any restrictions on Diwali celebrations and had instead encouraged people to observe the festival fully. The Hindu reported that he said the public should not be blamed for bursting crackers on one day, and it drew a contrast with what he described as a lack of action against people who had corrupted the system. The Hindu's account links his comments to a broader criticism rather than to the pollution question alone.

Why it matters

The comments put the state government's position on festival firecrackers in the public eye at a time when residents had complained about smoke and air quality. Because the chief minister has the authority to set policy on celebrations and pollution control in the state, his view that the pollution is temporary and not a cause for concern is significant for those who want tighter action.

What we don't know yet

The reports do not give the exact air quality readings for Lucknow or other cities, so the scale of the spike cannot be confirmed from these accounts alone. None of the five reports describes a formal response from pollution control authorities or any planned measures beyond the chief minister's statements. The Hindu's report also links his remarks to a separate criticism of corruption, and the other outlets do not mention this, so readers may want to look at the full comments from each publication. Readers should also note that the outlets quote the chief minister in slightly different wording, so the precise phrasing of his remarks differs from one report to another.

Written by the 91News.in desk with AI assistance, based on reports from The Hindu, Hindustan Times, Times of India, Indian Express, NDTV. Updated 11 Nov 2026, 5:05 pm. Spotted an error? Tell us.