‘An old saying’: BJP MLA clarifies ‘firecrackers cure illness’ remark, apologises

NEW DELHI: West Bengal BJP MLA Papiya Adhikari on Monday defended herself after facing criticism for claiming that bursting firecrackers helps kill germs and viruses.The actor-turned-politician said her statements were being deliberately twisted to garner TRP.“Whenever I say something, people who oppose me use it to increase their TRP and views. Even if I cough or sneeze, the ‘seku-maku’ (a Bengali slang meaning secular and Marxists) pick it up,” Adhikari told a Bengali TV channel.“What I meant was that bursting firecrackers during Diwali-Kali Puja night kills germs, as told by our grandmothers and elders for generations. Lighting lamps drives away evil forces,” she added.Later in the day, the BJP MLA apologised for her remarks and said: “There is an old saying from our ancestors regarding these traditions. In essence, this is a festival of lights – a festival of lighting lamps – meant to eradicate social evils. In the past, through rituals, many such evils were addressed. Now, however, we live in the era of firecrackers, and given how much science has advanced, perhaps that perspective is no longer appropriate.“If anyone has been hurt, I apologise. I am willing to retract my statement; consider it withdrawn. But the core idea remains: such social evils were – and still can be – eradicated.”Adhikari was trolled for claiming at a Kali Puja pandal inauguration in her Tollygunge constituency on Saturday that bursting firecrackers could cure several diseases.

While addressing a gathering, a firecracker exploded loudly in front of her.Continuing her speech, she said, “You will see that bursting firecrackers will cure several diseases. Our chief minister has said that we will burst firecrackers. How can Kali Puja be complete without green firecrackers? We will definitely burst green firecrackers.”“However, we will follow the guidelines issued by the police,” she added.Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday said the administration had taken necessary measures to enforce the Supreme Court’s guidelines on noise pollution, though he acknowledged that some firecrackers were burst beyond the permitted hours.