West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday claimed that noise pollution during Kali Puja and Diwali celebrations was largely under control, dismissing complaints over high-decibel firecrackers as politically motivated, even as a senior cabinet minister acknowledged widespread violations and personally monitored the situation on Kolkata's streets.
Adhikari defended the bursting of green firecrackers during the festival, accusing communist parties of opposing what he described as a resurgence of Sanatan traditions in the state.
His remarks came a day after Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Agnimitra Paul conducted late-night inspections across Kolkata, admitting that the continuous bursting of crackers had made it difficult for residents to remain indoors.
The contrasting assessments emerged amid complaints from residents and environmental activists that prohibited firecrackers continued to be burst beyond the permitted 8 pm to 10 pm window.
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Speaking to reporters in Digha in Purba Medinipur district, Adhikari maintained that the authorities had responded to violations and that the overall situation remained manageable.
"Some green firecrackers might have been burst after 10 pm, but the police took action against those responsible. I feel the situation was largely under control," he said.
Questioning the criticism, the chief minister said people should be allowed to celebrate Diwali and burst permitted green crackers.
"The complaints are being raised by communists. People will celebrate Diwali and burst green crackers. Why should that be such a problem? Where is the harm?" he asked.
Adhikari alleged that his political opponents were uncomfortable with the revival of Hindu religious traditions and accused them of reducing festivals to cultural programmes.
He also claimed that the BJP government had succeeded in restricting loud DJ music during celebrations, an achievement he said critics should acknowledge.
The chief minister maintained that his administration did not support environmental pollution and said authorities had responded promptly to fire incidents reported at three to four locations.
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However, Agnimitra Paul's account of the celebrations presented a different picture.
The minister, who resides in South Kolkata, said the continuous bursting of firecrackers after the permitted hours had become unbearable, prompting her to accompany police personnel on a late-night inspection.
"I myself stay in South Kolkata and even after 10 pm, crackers were still bursting, and I had no way but to step out," Paul said.
She added that the noise had caused her palpitations and made it difficult to remain at home.
Accompanied by officers from Karaya, Ballygunge and Rabindra Sarobar police stations, the minister visited Rashbehari, Garia, Kasba and several areas of north Kolkata.
Paul said she remained on the streets until approximately 2 am, when the situation finally appeared to have been brought under control.
She urged residents to consider the difficulties faced by elderly people and patients, particularly those vulnerable to loud noise.
The minister also contacted senior police officials and sought strict action against those violating the restrictions.
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Kolkata Police said 592 people were arrested during Kali Puja celebrations for various violations.
Of these, 205 were arrested for allegedly bursting prohibited firecrackers, while another 387 were detained for unruly behaviour.
Police also seized 238.6 kg of prohibited fireworks and six litres of illicit liquor during the day.
However, the quantity of confiscated fireworks was substantially lower than the corresponding seizures last year.
During the previous Kali Puja celebrations, police had seized 852.45 kg of fireworks, besides approximately six tonnes confiscated during the Diwali period.
Environmental activists and residents alleged that high-decibel crackers were burst even near hospitals, which are designated silence zones.
They also questioned the effectiveness of enforcement measures, alleging that prohibited fireworks remained easily available despite restrictions on their sale and use.
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Adhikari, however, maintained that complaints over firecracker violations were being exaggerated by political opponents.
He argued that critics should recognise the government's efforts to prevent the use of loud DJ music during the festivities rather than focusing exclusively on instances of firecrackers being burst beyond the prescribed hours.
"Those who are complaining that crackers were burst for an hour beyond the stipulated time should also appreciate the state government's efforts in stopping DJ music," he said.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA and actor Roopa Ganguly also expressed concern over the continuing noise.
In a late-night social media post tagging Kolkata Police, Ganguly questioned when the noise would stop. She subsequently deleted the post.
The differing reactions from the chief minister, his cabinet colleague and a ruling-party legislator highlighted the challenges faced by authorities in enforcing noise restrictions during major religious celebrations.
While the government maintained that the situation was largely under control, the arrests, seizures and complaints from residents indicated that violations continued across several parts of the city.