Kejriwal Slams CM Rekha Gupta’s ‘AQI Is Temperature’ Remark, Alleges Data Manipulation Amid Rising Pollution
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Monday sharply criticised Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta’s recent statement equating the Air Quality Index (AQI) with temperature, questioning the scientific basis of her claim and accusing the government of hiding real pollution levels in the national capital.
Kejriwal, the former Delhi Chief Minister, said Gupta had effectively “admitted” that water was being sprayed near AQI monitoring stations—allegedly to artificially lower pollution readings.
“The Chief Minister has at least accepted that wherever AQI monitors are installed, water spraying is being done so that the truth about pollution doesn’t reach the people of Delhi. In other words, a game is underway to hide the data and show ‘clean air’,” Kejriwal wrote in a post on X.
Taking aim at Gupta’s comment that “AQI is like temperature,” Kejriwal added, “When did this new science come about that AQI has now become temperature?”
Controversy Over Water Spraying Near AQI Monitors
Delhi’s BJP government has been facing criticism after several viral videos purportedly showed authorities spraying water around AQI monitoring stations, leading to allegations of data manipulation.
The capital’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category on Monday, with the AQI crossing 300 yet again. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average AQI stood at 314, up from 308 recorded at the same time a day earlier.
Forecasts suggest pollution levels may further deteriorate and could slip into the ‘severe’ range in the coming days.
What Rekha Gupta Said
Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2025, CM Rekha Gupta dismissed accusations of manipulating AQI readings and justified the government’s approach.
A “hotspot,” she said, was simply an area with the highest pollution levels—therefore spraying water at those spots was logical.
“Tell me, what is a hotspot? A hotspot is an area with the highest pollution levels. What’s the solution? You spray there, you water it… you work to improve the soil. So, you’ll spray only on the hotspot,” Gupta said.
She further suggested that AQI readings work similarly to temperature readings, and that spraying water was merely a mitigation measure.
“Does using a monitor bring down the AQI? AQI is like a temperature which you can know from any instrument, so watering it is the only solution which we are also doing,” she added.
Political Storm Intensifies
Kejriwal’s remarks have escalated the ongoing political battle over Delhi’s worsening air quality, with the AAP accusing the BJP-led administration of prioritising optics over real solutions. Meanwhile, the government insists that its measures are aimed at reducing pollution at its source.
As Delhi continues to choke under hazardous air, the war of words shows no signs of settling—while residents await effective, transparent action to improve air quality.
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