Delhi air quality becomes severe after Diwali night as ‘traditionalists’ continue to curse ‘liberals’

The air quality in Delhi became severe on Monday for the first time this season after Diwali celebrations, even though fewer firecrackers were burnt this time around as compared to the last two years.

On Monday morning, Delhi's air quality had particulate matter (PM) at 10 count, which is in the severe category at 476, according to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

There are six AQI categories -- good-satisfactory, moderately polluted, poor, very poor, and severe. Each of these categories is decided based on the ambient concentration values of air pollutants and their likely health impacts.

In ‘severe’ air quality, people may have difficulty in breathing, especially children and asthma patients have a tough time.

However, the figures or data of air quality deterioration could not shake the conviction of those who are hell bent on bursting crackers as they see any advice against bursting crackers as an attack on the “Hindu traditions”.

The campaign by a good number of people to avoid firecrackers – derisively called the libtards -- seemed to only instigate the “Hindus”.

“Hindus are unconquerable...Mian Lords , Secular govts, Liberal Jamaat, Society Elites can all go fly a Kite..” said a user.

Of course, there were no crackers when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya in some prehistoric times. The gunpowder came to India only around the 14th century. And naturally the use of firecrackers must have evolved much later.

‘So what?’ Shouted a Twitter user, as he argued that just like firecrackers electricity too is a later “tradition” its use must be stopped at once! This way, he argued, the production of automobiles – which according to him are the real culprits behind air pollution -- would also stop.

Here he goes:

Then there are those who are unwavering in their belief that bursting crackers is a long, long held Diwali tradition. Some dragged the Muslim and Christian festivals into the debate to harp on the “Hindus-are-victims-in-their-own land” string.

Some even threw data and ‘studies’ in your face to prove their point that firecrackers DO NOT cause air pollution.

A user beautifully summed up the whole debate: