New Delhi: Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Tuesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab of concealing stubble-burning incidents and misleading the public about farm fires, claiming that more than 1,000 cases had been recorded despite the state’s reported claims of zero incidents.

Sirsa alleged that 271 FIRs had been registered against farmers in Punjab over stubble burning, contradicting the public messaging of the state government. He also claimed that the Punjab government had spent between Rs 20 crore and Rs 25 crore on advertisements to project that no stubble burning had taken place in the state this year.

Speaking to the media, Sirsa said the figures indicated a gap between the government’s claims and the action being taken against farmers. His allegations come amid continued concerns over air pollution in Delhi and the contribution of agricultural residue burning in neighbouring states to the seasonal deterioration in air quality.

The Delhi minister also accused AAP leaders of denying the connection between stubble burning in Punjab and pollution in the national capital, even as cases were allegedly being registered against farmers in the state.

Sirsa cites more than 1,000 stubble-burning cases

Sirsa claimed that more than 1,000 stubble-burning incidents had been recorded in Punjab and that 271 FIRs had been filed against farmers.

“There are more than 1,000 stubble-burning cases that we know of and 271 FIRs filed,” he said.

The minister argued that the registration of cases against farmers was inconsistent with claims that the state had witnessed no farm fires this year.

He further alleged that the Punjab government had used public funds for advertisements to create the impression that stubble burning had been eliminated. According to Sirsa, the expenditure on these advertisements was between Rs 20 crore and Rs 25 crore.

However, the figures and allegations cited by Sirsa were not independently established in the information provided. The Punjab government had not issued an immediate response to his claims in the report.

AAP accused of denying link between farm fires and Delhi pollution

The minister also criticised AAP’s position on the impact of stubble burning in Punjab on Delhi’s air quality.

Stubble burning is the practice of setting fire to crop residue left behind after harvesting, particularly paddy. Farmers often use the method to clear fields quickly before the next sowing cycle.

The practice has been a recurring concern in northern India during the post-monsoon months. Smoke from agricultural fires, along with vehicle emissions, construction dust, industrial pollution and other sources, can contribute to poor air quality in Delhi and neighbouring areas.

Sirsa alleged that AAP leaders were denying the contribution of Punjab’s farm fires to pollution in the national capital while their own government was taking action against farmers accused of burning crop residue.

His remarks have brought the issue back into the political spotlight, with the Delhi minister seeking to hold the Punjab government accountable for its handling of agricultural residue burning.

Sirsa targets Arvind Kejriwal

Sirsa also directly targeted AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of taking “revenge on Delhi”.

He alleged that the AAP leadership was uncomfortable with what he described as an improvement in the national capital’s air quality under the BJP government.

The remark added a political dimension to the dispute, with Sirsa linking the stubble-burning controversy to the broader contest between the BJP-led Delhi government and AAP.

The accusation was made against the backdrop of ongoing debates over the responsibility of state governments in addressing air pollution across northern India. Since pollution does not remain confined to administrative boundaries, coordination between Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and other neighbouring states is important in tackling seasonal air-quality problems.

Sirsa’s comments suggest that the Delhi government intends to keep pressure on Punjab over its response to farm fires.

Delhi minister claims October was cleanest in a decade

Alongside his criticism of Punjab, Sirsa highlighted what he described as improvements in Delhi’s air quality.

He claimed that October 2026 was the cleanest October recorded in the national capital in a decade. He also said Delhi had registered 220 clean-air days so far this year.

According to Sirsa, the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) was around 10 per cent lower than in previous years.

He attributed the claimed improvement to coordinated efforts by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s government and residents of Delhi.

The minister’s remarks were intended to underline the BJP government’s efforts to improve air quality and contrast its approach with the AAP government’s handling of stubble burning in Punjab.

However, the claims about the cleanest October, the number of clean-air days and the reduction in average AQI were figures cited by Sirsa. A detailed comparison of official air-quality records would be required to independently assess them.

No immediate response from AAP

There was no immediate response from the AAP to Sirsa’s allegations.

The Punjab government’s position on the reported number of farm fires, the FIRs against farmers and the alleged advertising expenditure was not immediately available.

The controversy comes at a time when stubble burning remains a politically sensitive issue in northern India. Farmers’ concerns over the cost and availability of alternatives to burning crop residue have repeatedly featured in discussions on agricultural pollution.

While governments have introduced measures to discourage the practice, the issue continues to involve questions of enforcement, farmer support and coordination between states.

Sirsa’s latest allegations have intensified the political exchange between the BJP and AAP over responsibility for Delhi’s pollution. Whether Punjab responds with official figures or a clarification on the FIRs and advertisements will be important in assessing the claims.

For now, the allegations remain part of a political dispute, with no immediate response from AAP reported.