NEW DELHI: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has defended traditional Diwali practices, saying they were rooted in science and served environmental purposes, including eliminating insects and purifying the air.His remarks come amid continuing concerns over air pollution in major Indian cities.Addressing a gathering in Nagpur, Bhagwat said firecrackers used in earlier times were free of harmful chemicals and helped eliminate insects. He also cited the practice of lighting lamps fuelled by ghee, saying it helped purify the atmosphere.“There was science behind these traditional practices,” he said, invoking the phrase “Vatavaran shuddh, jeevan shuddh” (a clean environment leads to a pure life).
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The RSS chief’s comments come against the backdrop of worsening air quality in Delhi and several other metropolitan cities, where firecracker use during Diwali has remained a contentious issue. Pollution from fireworks, along with other sources, has repeatedly raised concerns over their environmental and health impact.Bhagwat also spoke about the cultural significance of Diwali, noting that the five-day festival is celebrated across the world and brings people together to exchange greetings and good wishes.He further said that ‘dharma’ serves to unite society and that women often possess a deeper understanding of it than men.Delhi recorded its most polluted Diwali in five years, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 376.The situation remained largely unchanged on Monday morning, with the AQI settling at 371 at 10 am as a blanket of smog and fog covered the city, news agency PTI reported.
