AAP celebrates Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s bail with fireworks despite citywide ban till 1st January

NEW DELHI: Four days after AAP govt imposed a complete ban on firecrackers in the city till Jan 1, 2025, AAP workers on Friday burst fireworks on a massive scale to celebrate the release of chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on bail.

Crackers and fireworks were set afire outside CM's official residence, the party office and Tihar Jail, emitting dense smoke. No comment was received from Delhi govt on the issue.

The action drew criticism from activists and opposition BJP, who called the ban a "gimmick". According to activists, the bursting of the firecrackers shows that the ban was just to make headlines. "The incident proved how half-hearted the firecracker ban imposed by Delhi govt is. In a city already choking, every breach of this ban sets a dangerous precedent," said environment activist Bhavreen Kandhari. "Delhi Police must take strict action to ensure such mistakes aren't repeated," he emphasised.

BJP said AAP govt banned firecrackers for "Hindu festivals", but itself burst them for "celebrating the release of liquor scam accused Arvind Kejriwal".

Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said, "Minister Gopal Rai just four days ago imposed a ban on cracker bursting during Dushera, Kali Puja and Diwali, citing that it increases pollution. But today, hundreds of AAP workers shamelessly burst crackers outside Kejriwal's house, party office and Tihar Jail."

Kapoor demanded that govt must tell Delhiites that "if Hindus can't burn festival crackers, how can AAP workers burst them? Rai must see several videos on social media, identify those who burnt crackers at CM's house, and order their arrest".

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