The Apex Court on Wednesday said debates on TV are creating more pollution than anybody. They don’t understand what is happening and what is the issue. Statements are taken out of context. Everyone has their own agenda. The court can’t help and control.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana said everyone has their own agenda and statements are taken out of context in these debates. “You want to use some issue, make us observe and then make it controversial, and then only blame games will remain..,” observed the bench also comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant.

The Supreme Court’s observations came while hearing a plea relating to air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas.

The oral remarks came in response to the submission of senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi government, that stubble burning was one of the contributors of the air pollution which needs to be addressed and referred to the Union government’s figures on the issue.
Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta referred to the television debates and said they claimed that he had misled the top court on the contribution of stubble burning to air pollution. “I watched some irresponsible and nasty utterances on TV media against me that I misled the court on the question of stubble burning by showing that its contribution is only 4 to 7%. Let me clarify,” SG said.

However, the court said: “We were not misled at all. You said 10% but it was pointed out in the affidavit that it was 30-40%.”

The plea has been filed by environmental activist Aditya Dubey and law student Aman Banka, who sought directions to provide stubble-removing machines to small and marginal farmers for free.