Culture of Diwali gifts adds to vehicular pollution: Supreme Court on Delhi's AQI

The Supreme Court said a 'cultural shift' was needed to curb the annual pollution menace in Delhi as the overall AQI in the national capital came within touching distance of the severe category.Delhi's markets have been choc-a-bloc over the past few days ahead of Diwali (Source: NsNitinsinha)New Delhi,Nov 6, 2026 12:44 ISTThe Supreme Court on Friday flagged the culture of exchanging Diwali gifts as a contributor to vehicular pollution in Delhi as the national capital continued to breathe toxic air. Underlining that a "cultural shift" was needed to curb the annual pollution menace in Delhi, Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant said the rich had turned the practice of exchanging Diwali gifts into a social and status symbol.The Supreme Court's sharp remarks came as the overall AQI in Delhi came within touching distance of the severe category on Friday. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average AQI was recorded at 389, even though it surged past 400 in several regions. It is a situation that Delhi deals with every year, with stubble burning from neighbouring states adding to the toxic air.Delhi's markets have been choc-a-bloc over the past few days, witnessing a festive rush ahead of Diwali on November 8.The CJI pointed out that the root problem was not merely the number of vehicles on Delhi's roads, but the fact that vehicles from across the country enter the city, making it difficult to monitor their emissions. "It's a free-for-all. Vehicles from across the country come in. You cannot monitor the overall condition of the vehicle or what kind of emissions it is making. Even if a vehicle comes in for two hours, the damage is done," the CJI said.- Ends