NEW DELHI: Students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi University (DU), and Jamia Millia Islamia led a protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. Hundreds of Delhi residents joined, demanding immediate government action to improve air quality in the national capital.
The protest occurred as Delhi continued to experience “very poor” air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has remained above 300 for several days following Diwali. On Tuesday, the city recorded an overall AQI of 344. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed four monitoring stations reported “severe” pollution levels.
Protestors Demand Action
Demonstrators wore industrial-grade respiratory masks. They held placards with slogans like, “Delhi ICU mein hai, Govt kahan hai?” (“Delhi is in ICU, where is the government?”). Protesters stated poor air quality impacted daily life across northern India.
One protestor asked, “The quality of life is finished in northern India. We are getting health issues due to bad air, and our children are suffering. What will we do with a five-trillion-dollar economy if citizens live in such an environment?”
Criticism Against Government
Shahid, another demonstrator, criticized the Delhi government for “not tackling real issues.” He stated, “Blaming previous governments cannot go on.” Shahid highlighted the government’s procurement of air purifiers for its offices. He questioned the lack of similar provisions for common citizens.
Anjali, a DU student, reported organizing a similar protest on November 10 at India Gate. She stated Delhi Police detained approximately 15 women during that protest. They were then allegedly dropped off in Bawana late at night. Anjali affirmed, “We will not make peace with the situation. Clean air is our fundamental right.”
Anjali further alleged the Delhi government was “manipulating AQI data.” She also criticized public fund expenditure on cloud-seeding despite scientific objections. She claimed the government was “taking no steps to curb the causes of pollution.”
A young boy held a poster that read, “Plants are giving us oxygen, but are we inhaling poison?” He stated his throat hurt due to rising pollution levels. He added, “Pollution should be stopped. The situation is very poor.”
Previous Protests and Detentions
On November 9, scores of people, including parents and environmental activists, also protested at India Gate. They demonstrated against the worsening air quality in Delhi. Delhi Police later detained some of these protestors. Police cited the absence of official permission for the gathering.
Students and activists continue to demand immediate government intervention. They seek concrete measures to address Delhi’s ongoing air pollution crisis.