New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Tension flared in the national capital on Sunday as Delhi Police detained several demonstrators who had gathered at India Gate to protest against worsening air quality and demand tougher anti-pollution policies. The incident quickly escalated into a political confrontation, with opposition leaders accusing the ruling party of neglecting public health.
The protest, which drew students, activists, and local residents, called on authorities to take urgent steps to curb smog levels that have pushed Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) deep into the ‘severe’ category. However, the gathering was disrupted by police soon after it began.
According to New Delhi District DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla, the demonstrators were informed that India Gate is not a permitted protest site. “As per Supreme Court directions, Jantar Mantar is the designated location for such activities. India Gate is a heritage monument and a high-security zone,” Mahla said, adding that people were detained only after they refused to disperse peacefully.
The crackdown drew sharp criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Party spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar, who also joined the protest, accused the BJP-led government of “downplaying” pollution figures. “The authorities have been spraying water near AQI monitors to manipulate data and make the readings look better,” Kakkar claimed. “This isn’t a political issue—it’s a human one. Delhi’s air is poisonous, and instead of fixing the problem, the government is busy defending itself.”
Citizens participating in the protest expressed deep frustration with the administration’s handling of the pollution crisis. “All we want is clean air to breathe,” said Neha, a Delhi resident who was among those detained. “For over a decade, we’ve been living in a gas chamber. This is about our right to life under Article 21. Detaining peaceful protesters is also a violation of our right to expression under Article 19.”
Sunday’s air quality readings painted a grim picture across the capital. According to Central Pollution Control Board data, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 412, Alipur 415, and Bawana 436—levels considered hazardous to health. The overall citywide average was 391, indicating ‘severe’ pollution.
The New Delhi Municipal Council has already implemented Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes stricter vehicle checks, increased parking charges, and a crackdown on construction dust. Despite these measures, smog continues to blanket the city, reducing visibility and causing respiratory distress among residents.
As political leaders continue trading barbs, environmental experts warn that Delhi’s worsening pollution cannot be solved without coordinated long-term policies between central and state governments. Meanwhile, the detained protesters were released later in the evening, vowing to continue their campaign for clean air through legal and peaceful means.
