Amid Backlash Over No Pollution Debate in Parliament, Centre Blames Congress For Creating 'Ruckus'

New Delhi: Amid backlash over the lack of a pollution debate in Parliament regarding the surge in Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI), Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has blamed the Congress party for creating a ruckus and disrupting House proceedings.

At the conclusion of the Winter Session today, Rijiju said, "We wanted a discussion on pollution. The opposition had requested it. But the Congress then said that pollution is not important and created a ruckus."

"This one regret remains... We were ready for a full-day discussion on pollution... The Congress party, by further instigating and provoking other parties, created chaos and disruption by storming into the well of the House," he added.

What Congress Said About Pollution Debate

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Centre over air pollution, alleging that the recently concluded winter sitting of Parliament effectively turned into a "pollution session" due to the government's unwillingness to hold a structured debate on the issue.

Addressing a press conference, Ramesh said he was taken aback by the government's response in Parliament, which, he said, denied any link between pollution and lung-related ailments.

"This wasn't a winter session, it was a pollution session. I was shocked when the government gave a reply in Parliament yesterday, stating that there is no relation between pollution and lung problems," he said.

Ramesh said Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had repeatedly sought a detailed discussion on the deteriorating air quality across the country, particularly in north India, where pollution levels have remained severe for weeks.

"Rahul Gandhi demanded a discussion on air pollution. We wanted a debate on it in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha," he said, underlining that the opposition was pushing for accountability and concrete measures rather than political point-scoring.

The national capital woke up to poor air quality on Friday morning, with the overall AQI recorded at 387 at around 8 a.m., placing it in the 'very poor' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Air quality in the city deteriorated further compared to Thursday, when the AQI stood at 373 at 4 p.m. Large parts of the city remained enveloped in toxic smog.

Also Read: Delhi Chokes, People Suffocate In Toxic Air: Lok Sabha Adjourned Sine Die Without Pollution Debate