New Delhi, November 15, 2023: Police detained dozens of environmental activists at India Gate today during a protest against Delhi’s hazardous air quality, sparking a political battle between ruling and opposition parties.
Protesters Demand Clean Air Solutions
Over 200 demonstrators gathered at the capital’s landmark, brandishing signs like “Clean Air is Our Right” and “Save Delhi From Smog.” The crowd included:
– Medical professionals treating pollution-related illnesses
– Students affected by school closures
– Environmental groups like Fridays for Future India
Delhi Police invoked CrPC Section 144, detaining 50+ protesters. “We acted to prevent public disorder,” stated a senior officer while activists criticized the move as suppressing fundamental rights.
Political Parties Exchange Blame
The incident triggered sharp reactions across party lines:
AAP Accusation:
“The center is crushing democratic protests instead of solving pollution,” said AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj.
BJP Counterclaim:
“This is AAP’s stunt to hide their governance failure,” retorted Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva.
Congress Reaction:
Rahul Gandhi condemned the detentions via Twitter, calling Delhi’s pollution “a public health emergency.”
Delhi’s Severe Air Crisis
Key pollution indicators:
– AQI: 400+ (Severe category) for 7+ days
– PM2.5 levels: 10× WHO safety limits
– Hospitals report 30% rise in respiratory cases
Despite GRAP measures, persistent issues include:
✓ Crop burning in Punjab/Haryana
✓ Unregulated construction dust
✓ Vehicular emissions
Public and Expert Reactions
Detained pulmonologist Dr. Priya Menon warned: “Children are developing permanent lung damage.” Online, #DelhiChokes trended with 50K+ tweets sharing protest footage.
Next Steps
The NGT has demanded:
1. Immediate action plan from Delhi government
2. Accountability for GRAP implementation gaps
With colder months ahead, activists vow to continue pressure campaigns until concrete solutions emerge.
Live AQI Updates: [Internal Link to Delhi Pollution Tracker]
