Singapore High Commission’s advisory on air pollution triggers war of words

Opposition parties have sharpened their attacks on the Rekha Gupta-led government over the ongoing public health crisis after the Singapore High Commission issued an alert on air pollution in the national capital. While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) called it an “international embarrassment”, the Congress demanded Ms Gupta’s resignation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the Opposition of engaging in “petty politics”. The party’s Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva claimed that such recommendations were “normal practice”. “Whenever weather conditions deteriorate in any country or city, foreign governments often issue advisories to their citizens residing there.”

In the advisory published by Singapore High Commissioner Simon Wong on X, Phase IV of the Phased Response Action Plan, including the ban on construction and demolition activities, It referred to the restrictions imposed under the phase 1 and the Delhi government’s advice to citizens to stay at home and said: “In this context, the High Commission urges Singapore citizens in the National Capital Region of Delhi to heed this advice.”

It was stated that Singapore citizens who need consular assistance in NCR can contact the High Commission.

Prime Minister’s ‘silence’

AAP’s Delhi incharge Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” on the “emergency-like situation” due to hazardous weather.

Former Delhi Health Minister said, “This is not pollution, it is terrorism. People’s lungs feel like they are filling with gunpowder. The whole city is covered in smoke.”

The Congress said the BJP government’s focus on comparing last year’s air pollution statistics with this year’s data showed it was “more concerned with its report card than the public’s health”.

Delhi Congress President Devender Yadav said the BJP came to power by making “false promises” and is shirking its responsibilities during the ongoing crisis.