Dozens of citizens, including parents, students, environmentalists, and political leaders, were detained at India Gate on Sunday evening during a protest against Delhi’s rising air pollution levels.
The demonstration, which began around 5 p.m., was also joined by animal rights activists opposing a recent Supreme Court ruling on stray dogs.
Detentions and Police Response
According to Delhi Police, protesters gathered at Mansingh Road and India Gate without prior permission. DCP (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla said, “Approximately 60–80 people were detained from both protests. Only those blocking the road were taken into custody.”
Police later clarified that no minors were detained, following claims by environmentalist Vimlendu Jha on X (formerly Twitter) that children were among those held.
“Even children are detained, who were only asking for their right to breathe,” Jha had written in his post, sharing a video of the scuffle.
Denied Permission for Protest
Officials stated that permission for a protest at India Gate had been denied on Saturday by Additional DCP Anand Kumar Mishra, citing security and traffic concerns. Protesters were instead advised to assemble at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site.
Despite this, hundreds gathered near India Gate, holding placards reading “Right to Breathe” and “Clean Air for Children.”
Voices from the Protest
Many protesters expressed frustration with what they called the government’s lack of political will to address the air crisis.
“I haven’t sent my daughter to the park for a month,” said Akansha Kulkarni, a resident of South Delhi. “We can’t keep our children locked indoors forever just to keep them safe.”
Others said individual efforts are no longer enough to fight the pollution.
“Governments can’t just blame stubble burning. They must come together to find a regional solution,” said another protester.
Another demonstrator, working in the development sector, added, “The wealthy can buy air purifiers, but what about workers and commuters exposed to toxic air daily?”
Animal Rights Activists Join In
A section of protesters also raised concerns about the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on stray dogs, calling it unfair and inhumane.
“Removing dogs from schools and hospitals without proper shelters is cruel,” said Harshita, an animal rights advocate. “Authorities must ensure their safety.”
Political Reactions
The protest quickly triggered a political row between Delhi’s current and former governments.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa blamed the previous AAP government, calling Delhi’s pollution a result of “systemic neglect.” He, however, acknowledged that citizens have “every right to voice their concerns peacefully.”
AAP Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj, who joined the protest, accused institutions of data manipulation, claiming that agencies such as DPCC, CPCB, and CAQM are “fudging air quality figures.”
“When people can’t trust the data, they lose faith in the government. That’s why Delhi’s citizens are out on the streets,” Bharadwaj said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also weighed in, writing on X:
“Clean air is a basic human right. Peaceful protest is a constitutional right. Why are citizens demanding clean air being treated like criminals?”
Meanwhile, NCP (SP) spokesperson Anish Gawande alleged he was stopped from joining the demonstration at Ashoka Road.
Public Health Concerns Remain High
Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has remained in the “Severe” category for over a week, raising serious health alarms for millions of residents. Experts have urged immediate and coordinated action from state and central governments to curb emissions, vehicular pollution, and construction dust.
As protests continue, Delhi’s citizens are calling not just for accountability—but for the fundamental right to breathe clean air.
