Graphic claims Punjab AQI hit 1,435 and commentators ignored stubble burning?

checkthis · automated fact-check · How we check

The Reel uses fabricated AQI figures and a false claim of silence by commentators to allege selective targeting of Hindu festivals. Official Indian AQI scales cap at 500, with Patiala peaking at 499 and Delhi reaching 371–404 post-Diwali. Reports from Mint confirm commentator Dhruv Rathee explicitly addressed crop stubble burning in his pollution coverage.

3 claims checked
4 sources
Checked 10 Nov 2026
Main source: Post-Diwali air pollution: AQI slips to 'severe' in Delhi; Mumbai, Chennai wake up to smog - The Hindu

The post we checked

Delhi’s AQI reportedly increased from 718 to 895 after Diwali, while Punjab’s AQI jumped from 200 to 1,435 after stubble burning. The figures have sparked…

No link: Instagram doesn't share the address of a post sent by DM, so we can't link to it.

The trick: Exaggerates

It inflates the facts beyond what the evidence shows (known as exaggeration).

“PUNJAB'S AQI HITS 1,435 AFTER STUBBLE BURNING, BUT DHRUV RATHEE, ARPIT SHARMA AND OTHER ACTIVISTS REMAIN SILENT”

The Reel inflates AQI figures beyond official scales and falsely claims commentators were silent on stubble burning.

How this trick works and how to answer it →

What we checked

Delhi's AQI reportedly increased from 718 to 895 after Diwali.“According to the Central Pollution Control Board Live Dashboard, Delhi AQI levels have gone up to 404 at 4 a.m. today”Post-Diwali air pollution: AQI slips to 'severe' in Delhi; Mumbai, Chennai wake up to smog - The Hindu

Punjab's AQI increased from 200 to 1,435 after stubble burning.“Air pollution in Patiala has reached alarming levels following Diwali, with the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 499, placing it in the severe category.”Pollution wreaks havoc in Patiala, AQI touches 499; PPCB reports 288 stubble burning incidents, imposes fine of Rs 3.45 lakh - Social News XYZ

Dhruv Rathee and Arpit Sharma remained silent on Punjab's stubble burning pollution.“Dhruv Rathee, in his video, explained how civilians, farmers, and truck drivers, along with the government, blame one another for rising pollution. When civilians are asked not to use firecrackers, th”AQI: Two days after Dhruv Rathee’s warning, air quality in Delhi, Gurgaon, and Noida goes alarmingly low on Diwali 2025 | Today News

Connected

The same claim was checked in another Reel (@aasthadecodes, 2026-11-09): “Researchers found that PM2.5 levels were significantly higher during the post-Diwali period compared to…”, found true (see it)
The same claim was checked in another Reel (@newpama_, 2026-11-09): “The AAP-led Punjab government increased stubble burning during Diwali by 10 times.”, found not confirmed (see it)

What the post doesn't tell you

Dhruv Rathee had previously published video content discussing crop stubble burning alongside Diwali firecrackers.
Official CPCB and PPCB records show post-Diwali AQI in Delhi ranged from 371 to 404 (The Hindu, New Indian Express) and Patiala touched 499 (Socialnews).
Punjab recorded 1,152 stubble burning incidents on Diwali day, taking the season's total to 4,459 (Organiser, NDTV).

How it plays you

It wants you to think: “Left-wing commentators and activists hypocritically ignore severe stubble burning pollution in Punjab while focusing on Diwali.”

The argument relies on unsupported AQI figures and a false premise that commentators remained silent on stubble burning.

Short version

⚠️ MISLEADING 👉 The claim that Punjab's AQI reached 1,435 and that commentators ignored stubble burning is misleading. 👉 Official Indian AQI scales max out at 500, and reports confirm commentator Dhruv Rathee explicitly addressed crop stubble burning. 🎭 Trick: Exaggerates 📰 Sources: The Hindu, Socialnews 🔎 Full check: send this post to @checkthis.chat