Firecrackers can cure diseases: Bengal BJP MLA's bizarre remark goes viral

BJP MLA Papiya Adhikari said bursting firecrackers helps cure many diseases at a Kali Puja event. The claim triggered a row and sarcastic online reactions amid Kolkata's pollution concerns.BJP MLA Papiya Adhikari (Photo: PTI)Firecrackers as medicine? BJP MLA Papiya Adhikari seems to have found an unconventional prescription for people suffering from diseases. According to her, bursting firecrackers can actually help cure them.As Kolkata continues to grapple with concerns over rising air pollution, noise levels and their impact on public health after Diwali, a video of the actor-politician has surfaced online, triggering a wave of sarcastic reactions. In the clip, Adhikari is heard extolling the supposed health benefits of bursting firecrackers."We will burst firecrackers as per the directives issued by the police. And you know, bursting firecrackers also helps in curing many diseases," Adhikari said on Saturday while inaugurating a Kali Puja programme in her assembly constituency.Her remarks have sparked a row in the state. On Diwali, Kolkata's average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 301, placing it in the 'very poor' category, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. As the city dealt with another bout of pollution, social media users were quick to offer their own, rather sarcastic, interpretations of the MLA's health advice. NO LIFE, NO DISEASE: INTERNET USERS TAKE A DIGAs the video made its way online, one user appeared to agree with Adhikari, suggesting that firecracker smoke could offer people suffering from asthma permanent relief — by killing them."Yes, if someone has severe asthma or critical heart disease, hazardous smoke can permanently send them out of this world . . . No life, no disease!" the user wrote. Another user took a dig at the remark by suggesting that firecrackers could simply be rebranded as medicine in a country where healthcare is becoming increasingly expensive."When healthcare becomes expensive, just rebrand firecrackers as medicine. Nothing builds a vote bank like mixing blind faith with bad science," the user wrote.A third user offered another tongue-in-cheek suggestion, hinting that rising pollution levels could soon be marketed as a health benefit."Next, they will prescribe AQI 500 as immunity boosters," the user wrote.Adhikari joined the BJP in 2021 and contested the Assembly elections that year but lost. She made her electoral breakthrough in the 2026 Assembly polls, defeating heavyweight Trinamool Congress candidate Aroop Biswas in an upset victory from Tollygunge.- Ends