New Delhi, November 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress MP Imran Masood on Wednesday clarified his controversial remark that “Diwali ho ya pradushan jo hai, manav janit rog hai” (whether it is Diwali or pollution, it is a human-induced disease), claiming that his statement had been taken out of context.
The clarification came a day after his remarks triggered a political row, with the BJP accusing him of insulting Hindu religious beliefs, Sanatan Dharma and India’s civilisational traditions.
Speaking to IANS, Masood said he was specifically referring to the debate over Diwali and pollution and wanted to convey that the festival should not be singled out as the cause of deteriorating air quality.
“I had responded specifically in the context of Diwali, saying that these people are mentally disturbed for using festivals as an excuse. The entire context of my statement was distorted,” he said.
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“I had clearly said that Diwali should not be singled out as the cause of pollution. Pollution is a human-made problem. It is caused by human activities, not by nature. That was the point I was making,” he added.
Masood argued that the Air Quality Index (AQI) was already poor before Diwali and that pollution levels became more severe in the days following the celebrations. He also pointed out that Diwali had been celebrated for centuries and said he celebrated the festival himself.
“Otherwise, is this the first time we are celebrating Diwali? We have been celebrating it for centuries. As far as I am concerned, I celebrate Diwali myself. So, being questioned on this issue his itself embarrassing for me,” the Congress MP said.
Earlier, Masood had accused the BJP of using the pollution debate to create an anti-Hindu narrative against the Opposition. The BJP, meanwhile, strongly objected to his original remarks, alleging that he had equated a major Hindu festival with a disease.
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