Protests Erupt Over Air Pollution in New Delhi

Hundreds gathered at India Gate in New Delhi on Sunday to protest against severe air pollution, voicing their frustrations with chants like “I miss breathing.” A number of demonstrators were detained by police for holding an unauthorized rally, which led to an outcry from various opposition parties.

The air quality in New Delhi has been fluctuating, often described as “very poor” or “dangerous.” Thick smog has enveloped the city, with factors such as seasonal winds, agricultural burning, and Diwali fireworks exacerbating the issue. Over the weekend, the air quality index (AQI) reached an alarming average of 346 by Monday morning, though some areas reported even worse conditions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies any AQI over 301 as “hazardous,” while the World Health Organization has deemed New Delhi’s air as ‘severe.’

The declining air quality has incited anger among residents, many of whom are experiencing symptoms like headaches and persistent coughs. Frustration is rising towards local politicians who are seen as neglecting actionable policies to address this recurring health crisis. According to reports, many protestors, particularly mothers with their children, called for urgent and accountable government action, showcasing medications prescribed for respiratory issues.

As arrests began, angry protestors took to social media to express their discontent. Officials stated that the demonstrators had ignored requests to relocate their protests to designated areas, leading to road blockages at India Gate. They clarified that only those insisting on obstructing traffic were detained.

Bableen Kandari, an environmental activist, noted the irony that many of the female police officers empathized with the protestors, given that they also struggled with the toxic air. However, she observed that numerous people were without masks, highlighting a concerning reality. Kandari voiced the deep worries of parents, stating that a significant number of children are already facing lung damage, predicting they may have lives cut short due to pollution.

Opposition Congress Party criticized the police for detaining protestors, describing them as citizen activists fulfilling an obligation that the government has failed to meet. Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh pointed out that the people merely wanted to exercise their constitutional right to advocate for better air quality.

Ramesh questioned why citizens were being prohibited from expressing legitimate concerns about the poor air they breathe. He emphasized that in cases where government policy fails, it becomes the duty of the people to take action.

Rahul Gandhi, a Congress leader, demanded immediate government attention to New Delhi’s air quality crisis, arguing that the right to clean air is fundamental and that peaceful protest should not be criminalized. He criticized the Modi administration for ignoring the urgent issues plaguing air quality while simultaneously manipulating data to downplay the crisis.

A recent incident involving a large explosion near a subway station claimed at least eight lives, diverting Prime Minister Modi’s attention to the investigation alongside Home Minister Amit Shah. Interestingly, Modi was among several world leaders absent from the COP30 climate conference in Brazil, which led to discontent among environmental advocates.