New Delhi (AFP) – Toxic air in India's capital hit more than 56 times the UN health limit early Tuesday, after fireworks for the Hindu festival of Diwali worsened air pollution.
Issued on: 21/10/2025
FRANCE24
Toxic air blanketed India's capital after fireworks set off for the Hindu festival of Diwali worsened air pollution © Arun SANKAR / AFP
This month, the Supreme Court relaxed a ban on fireworks during the festival of lights, allowing the use of less-polluting "green firecrackers" -- designed to emit fewer particulates.
The ban was widely ignored in past years, however, and environmental groups have expressed doubts about the efficacy of the supposedly greener explosives.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, just after the peak of the bursting fireworks, levels of cancer-causing PM 2.5 microparticles hit 846 micrograms per cubic metre in parts of New Delhi, according to monitoring organisation IQAir.
That is more than 56 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily maximum.
This month, the Supreme Court relaxed a ban on fireworks during the festival of lights, allowing the use of less-polluting "green firecrackers" -- designed to emit fewer particulates.
The ban was widely ignored in past years, however, and environmental groups have expressed doubts about the efficacy of the supposedly greener explosives.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, just after the peak of the bursting fireworks, levels of cancer-causing PM 2.5 microparticles hit 846 micrograms per cubic metre in parts of New Delhi, according to monitoring organisation IQAir.
That is more than 56 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily maximum.
New Delhi regularly ranks among the world's most polluted capitals
© Arun SANKAR / AFP
By Tuesday morning, PM2.5 concentrations had eased to around 320 micrograms per cubic metre — roughly 23 times WHO limits, but relatively typical for New Delhi in winter.
The city regularly ranks as among the most polluted capitals.
A study in The Lancet Planetary Health last year estimated that 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were linked to air pollution.
The UN children's agency warns that polluted air puts children at heightened risk of acute respiratory infections.
© 2025 AFP
By Tuesday morning, PM2.5 concentrations had eased to around 320 micrograms per cubic metre — roughly 23 times WHO limits, but relatively typical for New Delhi in winter.
The city regularly ranks as among the most polluted capitals.
A study in The Lancet Planetary Health last year estimated that 3.8 million deaths in India between 2009 and 2019 were linked to air pollution.
The UN children's agency warns that polluted air puts children at heightened risk of acute respiratory infections.
© 2025 AFP
'Democrat in disguise?' MAGA turns on Trump for celebrating Diwali in the Oval Office
Robert Davis
October 21, 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump lights a candle as he participates in a Diwali celebration in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington,D.C., U.S., October 21, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Some of President Donald Trump's MAGA supporters melted down on Tuesday after the president hosted a celebration for the Hindu holiday of Diwali at the White House.
Diwali is the Hindu holiday of light. The five-day celebration highlights the victory of good over evil throughout the Hindu religion and is considered to be as important to Hindu followers as Christmas is to Christians. Trump also celebrated the holiday during his first administration.
"To be clear, this is weird," Matthew Tuck, who describes himself as a "Christian nationalist," posted on X.
"Why is President Trump having a 'Diwali celebration' at the White House?" Emerald Robinson, a host on Linell TV, posted on X. "Dear Christians: celebrating false religions is a grave sin. Trump should fire his 'spiritual advisor' @Paula_White and anybody else who allowed this sacrilege."
"So racist!" conservative IP attorney Jason Sanders posted on X.
"$40 billion for Argentina, weapons for Israel, bombs overseas, fights with the most fiscally conservative anti-war members of Congress, and now you are celebrating Diwali...Is this a Republican president or a Democrat in disguise?" Calvin Mercer posted on X.
"The Whitehouse is now celebrating pagan festivals that are antithetical to Christianity?" Justin Andrusk asked on X.
Robert Davis
October 21, 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel looks on as U.S. President Donald Trump lights a candle as he participates in a Diwali celebration in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington,D.C., U.S., October 21, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Some of President Donald Trump's MAGA supporters melted down on Tuesday after the president hosted a celebration for the Hindu holiday of Diwali at the White House.
Diwali is the Hindu holiday of light. The five-day celebration highlights the victory of good over evil throughout the Hindu religion and is considered to be as important to Hindu followers as Christmas is to Christians. Trump also celebrated the holiday during his first administration.
The celebration did not seem to sit well with Trump's MAGA base, many of whom shared their thoughts on social media.
"To be clear, this is weird," Matthew Tuck, who describes himself as a "Christian nationalist," posted on X.
"Why is President Trump having a 'Diwali celebration' at the White House?" Emerald Robinson, a host on Linell TV, posted on X. "Dear Christians: celebrating false religions is a grave sin. Trump should fire his 'spiritual advisor' @Paula_White and anybody else who allowed this sacrilege."
"So racist!" conservative IP attorney Jason Sanders posted on X.
"$40 billion for Argentina, weapons for Israel, bombs overseas, fights with the most fiscally conservative anti-war members of Congress, and now you are celebrating Diwali...Is this a Republican president or a Democrat in disguise?" Calvin Mercer posted on X.
"The Whitehouse is now celebrating pagan festivals that are antithetical to Christianity?" Justin Andrusk asked on X.
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