Comedian and actor Vir Das recently voiced his concern over the tradition of bursting firecrackers during Diwali, describing it as “inexplicable” given the worsening air pollution across major Indian cities. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Vir expressed confusion over why people knowingly contribute to hazardous air conditions when the impact on public health is widely known.
“Whether pre-existing pollution is because of stubble burning, or aliens landing. To know something is already hazardous and then to deliberately make it worse for yourself and your family. It’s inexplicable. Young kids, old parents, their lungs won’t ask whose fault it is,” he wrote in his post.
His statement quickly gained attention online, prompting mixed reactions from users. One commenter advised the actor to “stop driving car immediately” if he was truly concerned about pollution. Vir responded, writing, “A rocket is not comparable to transport… unless you shove it up your a**, it’s a VERY large rocket, and your work is VERY close by. Also… please don’t actually try this at home.”
The debate came amid worsening air conditions across India’s urban centres. In the past 24 hours, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has stayed in the “very poor” range, continuing a yearly pattern of thick smog and declining air quality after Diwali celebrations.
