UP CM Yogi Adityanath defends firecrackers on Diwali; dismisses pollution concerns

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday backed Diwali firecrackers, downplaying pollution worries and stating that it would decrease.

Speaking at a function in Lucknow, he said: "You celebrated Diwali and several people are saying that it caused pollution. I said, 'do not 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... It is good that people celebrated Diwali with 'dhoom-dhadaka' and burst crackers. We decided not to impose any prohibitions."