Opposition parties are alleging that Delhi’s air quality monitoring and reporting are being manipulated, as air pollution levels are reported to rise sharply around Diwali. Multiple outlets describe claims that AQI readings were “fudged,” “manipulated,” or otherwise handled in a way that affects how pollution levels are presented.
The dispute is framed as a political row between Delhi’s AAP and the BJP, with AAP accusing the Delhi government of altering AQI data. Times of India reports that AAP and Congress question AQI data, while India Today highlights Diwali-era readings above 3,000 and AAP’s allegation of data fudging. The Hindu likewise focuses on AAP’s charge of AQI data manipulation and characterises the allegations as life-threatening.
Alongside the data controversy, Times of India also reports a BJP allegation of a “conspiracy” linked to Punjab farm fires, expanding the story beyond Delhi’s monitoring to wider sources of pollution and competing claims about responsibility.
