Delhi's Political Battle Over Pollution: Kejriwal Defends Vipassana As Air Quality Reaches Critical Levels

New Delhi:

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has responded to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's criticism, describing her mockery of Vipassana meditation as "unbecoming" of her position.

In his post on X, Kejriwal addressed Gupta directly: "You harbor political enmity towards me. However, it does not behove you to mock the divine Vipassana meditation method taught by Lord Buddha in this manner."

Gupta had previously criticized Kejriwal's handling of pollution during his tenure as chief minister, stating that she would not abandon Delhi and "run away" to practice Vipassana to "cure his cough."

She shared video footage from a recent event where she discussed tackling Delhi's pollution crisis, saying: "We are finding solutions to Delhi's pollution problem while living and working in Delhi. We are not like those who leave Delhi to its fate and run away every six months to do Vipassana."

"My Delhi, my responsibility -- we are working with this spirit. The problem is here, the solution will also be found here in Delhi," Gupta emphasized, adding that both immediate and long-term measures were being implemented to address pollution.

Responding to these remarks, former chief minister Kejriwal maintained that it was inappropriate for a Chief Minister to ridicule a divine meditation practice. He encouraged Gupta to try Vipassana herself, stating it brings tremendous peace, and clarified that practicing Vipassana is not "running away" but rather a blessing for the fortunate.

AAP Delhi unit's Saurabh Bharadwaj criticized Gupta, noting that while she mocked Kejriwal's cough, all of Delhi was now suffering from severe pollution, as warned by health experts.

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached a season-high of 461, classified as 'severe,' compared to 431 the previous day, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Bharadwaj expressed serious concern about the deteriorating air quality, pointing out that despite nearly a year of BJP governance, the situation had reached alarming levels. He noted that December was halfway over with no stubble burning occurring anywhere in the country, yet pollution remained so severe that haze and smog were visible even indoors.

He described the most "unfortunate aspect" as Delhi residents' uncertainty about who would take responsibility for the crisis. "The people of Delhi do not know whom to look towards with the hope that something will be done. Should they look towards a chief minister who cannot even pronounce AQI properly," Bharadwaj remarked.

He alleged that Gupta misunderstands the concept of AQI, believing it can be measured by any instrument and that water sprinkling is the only solution to reduce pollution. Bharadwaj called for expert involvement and suggested Gupta should temporarily step aside.

In response to AAP's criticisms, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor acknowledged that Delhi's pollution had worsened in recent days but attributed this to Western Disturbance patterns affecting air movement across North India rather than local factors.

Kapoor noted that similar weather conditions have occurred every December since 2009 and expressed regret that AAP leaders, who have governed for the past decade, and Congress, which ruled previously, were blaming the BJP for the current situation.