BJP set for Diwali dhoom, broom

The Delhi BJP is using the Diwali season to boost its e nvironment- friendly image by seeking a “noise-free Diwali” and urging people to clean remains of crackers after Diwali night.

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan wrote to lieutenant-governor Najeeb Jung requesting a blanket ban on firecrackers, but on the other hand, the Delhi BJP has launched a drive “Pathakhon ki dhoom, uske baad broom,” which focuses on cleanliness drive to clean the remains of firecrackers.

The Union health minister is keen on a silent Diwali and the state unit of the BJP has launched a campaign to urge people to clean streets the morning after Diwali.

Earlier this week, Dr Vardhan, also an MP from Chandni Chowk, had sent out a message in favour of a silent Diwali, urging the lieutenant- governor to take up the cudgels against noise pollution caused by firecrackers. Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay has also called upon the youth, RWAs and other citizen forums in Delhi to celebrate Diwali with fireworks, and ensure cleaning afterwards.

Mr Upadhyay launched the awareness campaign and urged the citizen forums and youth groups. “People should take full enjoyment of bursting crackers on Diwali night, but next morning youth should take up broom to clear up the roads outside their homes. If everybody clears up the roads outside their homes, as a result we will all have the fun and city’s sanitation would also be taken care of.”

In the letter to lieutenant- governor Jung, Dr Vardhan pressed upon the need to curb noise pollution. In the letter, he said, “Delhi’s administration could no longer afford the excuse of respecting cultural sentiments for its inability to curb noise pollution.”