Delhi’s air quality plummeted to “hazardous” levels, exceeding an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 800 on Monday. In response, GenZ students and young citizens protested outside the Delhi Chief Minister’s residence at Civil Lines. They demanded immediate action and government accountability for the severe air pollution crisis.
Students Demand Clean Air and Accountability
Protesters displayed placards stating “Clean Air is our basic right” and “I miss breathing.” Students specifically held the Delhi government responsible for its failure and lack of a clear strategy to address the air quality emergency.
NSUI National President Shri Varun Choudhary spoke outside the CM’s residence. He stated, “Delhi NCR has turned into a gas chamber. Our generation is paying the price of political failure.” Choudhary criticized the Chief Minister, citing a lack of vision, emergency plans, and accountability. He added, “People are dying, children can’t breathe, yet the government has no answers. This is a betrayal of Delhi’s people.”
Choudhary emphasized, “This about our Right to Breathe and Life.” He affirmed that GenZ and India’s youth would not remain silent while their basic right to clean air was denied. Protesters demanded a transparent action plan, accountability from both Delhi and Union Governments, and urgent measures to protect lives.
Police Crackdown on Protesters Condemned
Meanwhile, the All India Students’ Association (AISA) condemned what it called a “shameful crackdown by Delhi police.” AISA reported that hundreds of protesters, including AISA Delhi secretary Abhigyan and JNUSU office bearers, were detained from India Gate on Sunday evening.
AISA shared a video on Instagram, alleging “women and even the elderly were manhandled.” Protesters were reportedly taken miles away to locations such as Bawan and Narela. Many remained unreleased even after sundown, according to AISA. The association called for the immediate release of all detained individuals.
Allegations of Illegal Detention
Anjali, a DUSU presidential candidate from SFI-AISA, specifically addressed “Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta” in an online statement. She highlighted the alleged illegal detention of women after sunset. “It is past 8 PM and 15 of us are being driven towards Narela, the far edge of Delhi,” Anjali stated.
She questioned police actions, asking, “Why are women being taken miles away from the city, this late at night, for asking for clean air? This is not law. This is punishment for speaking. For demanding the right to breathe.” Anjali also questioned whether Delhi police would take responsibility for the safety of those detained, or if “illegally detaining women after sunset” was their new concept of ‘law and order.’ AISA’s Delhi unit declared, “Democracy suffocates in Rekha Gupta’s Delhi!” in their statement.
Expert Recommends Air-Purifying Plants
Amidst the pollution crisis, Professor Anand Sonkar from the Department of Botany at Hansraj College, University of Delhi, suggested natural air purification methods. He recommended specific plants that help mitigate pollution.
Professor Sonkar identified spider plants, peace lilies, and areca palms as “excellent natural air purifiers.” He explained these plants absorb harmful gases and release oxygen. They absorb pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and ozone through their leaves. Their leaf surfaces also trap dust, smoke, and other airborne particles, reducing particulate matter.
He noted that through photosynthesis, plants release oxygen, supporting respiratory health. They also help regulate temperature, which reduces ground-level ozone formation. Sonkar detailed specific plant benefits: spider plants absorb carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and xylene; areca palms remove toxins and humidify air; peace lilies filter benzene and trichloroethylene. Aloe vera absorbs carbon dioxide at night. Tulsi neutralizes harmful gases and has antimicrobial properties. Money plants reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Snake plants convert carbon dioxide to oxygen even at night and are drought-tolerant, ideal for bedrooms.