Crackers cure diseases: BJP MLA Papia Adhikary retracts claim
Kolkata: Facing backlash for crediting firecrackers with curing some diseases, BJP’s MLA from Tollygunge in West Bengal, Papia Adhikary, on Monday, November 9, sought to take her statement back.
Speaking to ANI, she 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.”
Calling it an era of firecrackers, Adhikhari mentioned how science has advanced, and that perspective probably doesn’t hold anymore. “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 I am willing to retract my statement; consider it withdrawn.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,” she said.
What the MLA said
Adhikary found herself in the middle of a social media uproar for a recent video clip of hers in which she can be heard claiming at a Kali Puja event that firecrackers can cure some diseases.
Bursting firecrackers can cure diseases, or so BJP's Tollygunge MLA Papia Adhikary would have us believe.
— The Siasat Daily (@TheSiasatDaily) November 9, 2026
Speaking after inaugurating a Kali Puja in her constituency, Adhikari saw a cracker burst right in front of her while she was speaking.
The legislator said, "Our CM has… pic.twitter.com/w2XWMkooOx
While inaugurating a Kali Puja pandal in her constituency recently, a firecracker reportedly went off right after she started speaking. Not missing a beat, she apparently said, “You will see, bursting firecrackers also helps in curing several diseases…Our chief minister has said that we will burst firecrackers. How can Kali Puja be complete without bursting crackers? We will do so, but we will also follow the guidelines.”
Adhikary’s statement, surfacing at a time when the country is reeling from high AQI following Diwali celebrations, faced severe censure on social media.
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