Richa Chadha Slams Delhi’s Alarming Post-Diwali AQI: Read On

November 21, 2024: After the Diwali festivities, Delhi finds itself shrouded in a thick cloud of smog, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring beyond hazardous levels, crossing 400 in several areas. Actress Richa Chadha has voiced her distress over the situation, sharing her thoughts on social media and calling out the indifference toward this worsening health crisis.

Taking to Twitter, Richa retweeted a video showcasing a group of people lighting firecrackers amidst the dire air quality. The video, shared with the sarcastic caption “Celebrating 1000+ AQI,” highlights the dissonance between festive traditions and the city’s severe environmental conditions.

Expressing her heartbreak, Richa wrote, “The death sentence called life in Delhi… the city of my childhood, my school, my roots… Heartbreaking to see the apathy and sheer hatred for one-selves. Politicians will do nothing unless we learn to speak up for ourselves.”

Cycling in Smog: Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha Criticised

Meanwhile, actress Parineeti Chopra and her husband, AAP MP Raghav Chadha, have come under scrutiny for cycling near Raisina Hill during the city’s hazardous AQI levels. A viral video posted by a paparazzi account shows the couple enjoying a relaxed cycle ride through the high-security zone, seemingly unaffected by the pollution crisis.

Social media users were quick to troll the couple for their seemingly tone-deaf choice of activity amidst the smog. One user quipped sarcastically, “Take in the pollution… Yyyyummmm,” while another commented, “Breathless romance in Paris,” highlighting the irony of cycling in such unhealthy conditions.

A Persistent Crisis

Delhi’s air quality routinely dips to hazardous levels during and after Diwali, as a combination of firecrackers, vehicular pollution, and seasonal factors exacerbates the city’s already dire pollution levels. Despite repeated pleas from environmentalists and activists to avoid firecrackers, many continue the practice, worsening the situation.

Richa’s call for accountability and her emotional appeal to protect Delhi resonates with many who hope for stricter policies and collective action to combat this annual environmental disaster.