Kotkapura, November 12: Speaker of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, strongly reacted to statements made by BJP leaders blaming stubble burning in Punjab for the rising air pollution in Delhi. He said that targeting and defaming Punjab and its farmers every year was highly unfortunate. He made these remarks while visiting a farmer’s field in Village Wara Daraka.
He said that air pollution in Delhi is caused by several factors, including vehicular emissions, dust generated by construction activities, the city’s large population and industrial pollution. Therefore, it is unfair to hold only Punjab’s farmers responsible for Delhi’s pollution.
Speaker Sandhwan said that incidents of stubble burning in the area have been very limited, and in many places, no fires can be seen even across long stretches of farmland. He added that farmers of Punjab have made a significant contribution to filling the country’s food reserves, while Punjabis have made countless sacrifices for India’s freedom.
He appealed to BJP leaders to refrain from defaming Punjab and its farmers and, instead of making baseless allegations against the country’s food providers, focus on all the factors contributing to pollution.
He further said that the hard work of farmers and their contribution to the nation must be respected.