Yogi Adityanath dismisses Deepavali pollution concerns, says it will subside

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addresses the gathering during the Deepotsav celebrations on November 7, 2026 | Photo Credit: PTI

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday (November 11, 2026) defended the bursting of firecrackers during Diwali celebrations, saying people should be allowed to celebrate the festival without restrictions. He dismissed concerns over the pollution caused by firecrackers, arguing that it could be addressed, while accusing critics of overlooking pollution caused by corruption.

“Don’t worry; pollution would be mitigated as well. Nobody says anything to those who polluted the entire system with their corrupt misdeeds. But if the public burst crackers one day, it created pollution! If pollution occurred, it would be mitigated as well. No problem. It is good that people celebrated Diwali with ‘dhoom-dhadaka’ and burst crackers. We decided not to impose any prohibitions. I, too, was in the middle of fireworks in Ayodhya. When someone celebrates a festival, people speak up about pollution, but not when someone does anything wrong,” he said.

#WATCH | Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, "...You celebrated Diwali and several people are saying that it caused pollution. I said, 'Don't worry; pollution would be mitigated as well'. Nobody says anything to those who polluted the entire system with their corrupt misdeeds. But if the public burst crackers one day, it created pollution! If pollution occurred, it would be mitigated as well. No problem. It is good that people celebrated Diwali with 'dhoom-dhadaka' and burst crackers. We decided not to impose any prohibitions. I, too, was in the middle of fireworks in Ayodhya. When someone celebrates a festival, people speak up about pollution, but not when someone does anything wrong."

— ANI (@ANI) November 11, 2026

Mr. Adityanath was speaking at a government programme in Lucknow where appointment letters were distributed to lower divisional clerks selected for various departments.

Mr. Adityanath also reiterated that the State government had decided against imposing any unnecessary restrictions on Diwali celebrations. He said markets across Uttar Pradesh were bustling with activity on Dhanteras and described the celebrations in Ayodhya as grand.

“On the occasion of Dhanteras, markets across the State were bustling with activity. You may have also witnessed the grand Diwali festival in Ayodhya. People across the State celebrated Diwali with great enthusiasm and pomp. We had already made it clear that no unnecessary restrictions would be imposed on the celebration of Diwali,” he said.

Speaking about the government recruitment drive the CM said, “by August 15, 2026, we will have distributed appointment letters to 9.5 lakh youth in government service. By January 26, we will distribute appointment letters to an additional 1 lakh youth. The recruitment process for more than 42,000 Home Guard soldiers has been completed, and the verification process is in the final stages. We are trying to distribute their appointment letters next week. This program of distribution of appointment letters will continue uninterrupted till 26th January,”.

Published - November 11, 2026 12:36 pm IST