NEW DELHI – Indian police detained dozens of protesters at India Gate on Sunday, as crowds gathered to demand urgent action against the annual surge of toxic air in Delhi and its surrounding region. The protest, involving people of all ages holding banners and chanting slogans, is rare in the capital despite repeated air pollution crises each winter.
Protesters highlighted the health hazards of Delhi’s air, with banners reading “Breathing is killing us” and slogans like “Our right, clear air.” Neha, a masked participant, told ANI, “We have only one problem, and that is of clean air. This problem has been going on for many years but no action is being taken.”
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Delhi’s air quality index reached 345 on Monday, categorized as ‘very poor,’ compared to the scale where zero to 50 is ‘good’ and 401–500 is ‘severe,’ according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Authorities cited the location as non-designated for protests when removing demonstrators.
Opposition leaders criticized the detentions. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted that “the right to clean air is a basic human right” and questioned why citizens peacefully demanding clean air were treated like criminals. Delhi’s environment minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, said the government remained committed to reducing pollution, despite failed efforts such as last month’s cloud seeding.
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Winter conditions exacerbate the problem as cold air traps dust, vehicular emissions, and smoke, causing respiratory illnesses for many residents. Authorities continue to face challenges controlling the capital’s toxic air levels.