# Papia अधिकारी's Firecracker Claim Triggers Outrage, West Bengal BJP MLA Issues Apology

> West Bengal BJP MLA Papia अधिकारी has sparked a major controversy after claiming that bursting firecrackers can help cure various illnesses. Following heavy backlash and viral social media criticism over her remarks, the politician has formally apologized and withdrawn her statement.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Politics · **Published:** 2026-11-09 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/politics/patakhe-jalane-se-thika-hoti-hain-bimariyan-west-bengal-ki-mla-papia-adhikari-ke-ajiba-dave-para-chhira-vivada-58369 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Papia अधिकारी, West Bengal, Kolkata, BJP, Diwali Pollution, Tollygunge

While people across regions express grave concern over surging air pollution and the severe environmental damage caused by firecrackers following Diwali, a prominent political figure in West Bengal has made a bizarre remark that left everyone utterly astonished. Papia अधिकारी, a Bharatiya Janata Party MLA representing the Tollygunge assembly constituency in Kolkata, publicly claimed during a festival event that burning firecrackers can actually help cure multiple health ailments. The video clip of her speech, delivered during the inauguration of a Kali Puja marquee, spread like wildfire across social media platforms, drawing sharp questions and heavy mockery from citizens everywhere.

 

## Controversial Remarks Made at a Kali Puja Pandal

Papia अधिकारी had visited her legislative constituency to inaugurate a local Kali Puja celebration when she addressed the gathered crowd. During her address, she stated that if one observes closely, they will find that bursting crackers also helps in curing various diseases. Elaborating further, she asserted that the Chief Minister herself has spoken about burning crackers, and questioned how a Kali Puja celebration could ever feel complete without them. She added that while crackers would definitely be lit, all administrative safety guidelines and instructions would be duly followed by the public.

 

## Claims Stand in Direct Contrast to Scientific Facts

Although the BJP legislator maintained that crackers would be ignited strictly in accordance with the protocols issued by law enforcement authorities, her assertion regarding health benefits found zero backing in scientific consensus. Prominent health experts and medical practitioners have repeatedly pointed out that the toxic smoke and hazardous pollutants released by firecrackers can drastically aggravate respiratory disorders, asthma, and severe cardiovascular complications among individuals.

This controversial statement from Papia अधिकारी arrived at a time when residents in Kolkata were already voicing intense worries regarding soaring air pollution and noise levels in the aftermath of Diwali festivities. Official data released by the Central Pollution Control Board, or CPCB, highlighted that the average AQI recorded in Kolkata on the day of Diwali stood at 301, placing it firmly within the very poor category.

 

## Netizens React With Sarcasm and Heavy Criticism

Given the alarming pollution levels, her unconventional argument attributing healing properties to firecrackers naturally invited severe public scrutiny. Several social media users flooded the internet with satirical takes on the viral video. One user sarcastically remarked that if anyone suffers from severe asthma or a heart condition, the toxic smoke from crackers could grant them permanent relief from the illness by ending their life entirely. Another user commented that with medical treatments becoming increasingly expensive, society should perhaps formally categorize firecrackers as medicine, branding the logic as an absurd mix of superstition and flawed science meant to court vote banks. A third user quipped that the AQI level of 500 would soon be marketed as an immunity booster.

 

## Public Apology Offered Following Heavy Backlash

Facing a massive political storm and widespread ridicule over her remarks, Papia अधिकारी offered a public clarification and unconditional apology. She stated that there is an old saying passed down by ancestors regarding these traditional customs, explaining that the festival is fundamentally about light and lighting earthen lamps with the noble objective of eradicating societal evils. In earlier times, she noted, various social plagues were addressed through such traditional practices. However, she admitted that living in the modern era of heavy firecrackers alongside tremendous scientific advancement makes that older perspective perhaps no longer appropriate. Stating that if anyone was hurt by her words, she apologized sincerely and expressed readiness to take her statement back completely, she concluded that the core message remained focused on eliminating societal evils.

 

## Background and Political Journey Into Public Office

Before making her foray into active politics, Papia अधिकारी was a familiar and recognized face in the Bengali film industry. She officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2021 and contested the assembly elections that very year, though she faced defeat at the time. Over subsequent political developments, she secured a major electoral victory from the Tollygunge seat, stunning observers by defeating heavyweight Trinamool Congress leader Arup Biswas.

## What this means for you
This political controversy emerges at a time when citizens are already dealing with severe post-festival pollution and associated health hazards.

- **Across India:** General readers must remain vigilant about surging air pollution levels and prioritize respiratory health over unverified claims. Dismissing pollution risks can severely impact vulnerable populations during festive seasons.
- **In West Bengal:** Local residents in Kolkata need to take extra precautions against the very poor air quality index recorded in the city. Public health guidelines should be followed strictly despite conflicting statements from public figures.

## Why this happened
The controversy unfolded after a public speech was delivered during a festival gathering, with the resulting video spreading rapidly across digital platforms.

- **Public Event Remark:** The legislator made the unverified claim linking firecrackers to health benefits while inaugurating a local Kali Puja marquee in her constituency.
- **High Pollution Backdrop:** The statement coincided with official data showing Kolkata's average AQI touching 301, drawing immediate contrast between the claim and reality.
- **Viral Social Media Backlash:** Intense public ridicule and online criticism forced the politician to issue a formal apology and retract her statements entirely.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Which political party does Papia अधिकारी belong to?
Papia अधिकारी is a member and MLA of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

### 2. From which assembly constituency did she win?
She won the election from the Tollygunge assembly constituency in Kolkata.

### 3. What was the average AQI recorded in Kolkata on Diwali?
The average AQI recorded in Kolkata on the day of Diwali was 301, which falls under the very poor category.

### 4. What profession was Papia अधिकारी in before entering politics?
Before entering politics, she was a recognized face in the Bengali film industry.

### 5. Which Trinamool Congress leader did she defeat?
She secured her victory by defeating heavyweight Trinamool Congress leader Arup Biswas.

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