Delhi Citizens Protest Against Dangerous Air Pollution Levels as AQI Reaches "Very Poor" Category

"We have to fight every winter just to breathe," declared a protester during Sunday's demonstration.

Numerous Delhi residents, including families with children, gathered near India Gate to protest against the capital's deteriorating air quality, which reached an alarming AQI of 370, placing it in the "very poor" category. Demonstrators displayed placards with messages such as "Smog se Azadi!" and "Breathing is killing me."

One protester emphasized, "This is a health emergency, not a blame game. Trial-and-error approaches have failed our children. The government must implement an effective clean-air policy immediately."

Photo Credit: ANI

Another demonstrator highlighted the socioeconomic disparity in coping with pollution: "The wealthy can purchase air purifiers or escape to cleaner environments, but what about ordinary citizens? Every winter we struggle merely to breathe." His handmade banner stated "Hawa sarkari nahi, sabka hai" – asserting that air belongs to everyone, not just the government.

Jyothsna Singh, speaking to NDTV, pointed out: "The underprivileged – street vendors and auto drivers – suffer most from road emissions, with state buses and autos contributing approximately 80% of pollution. While vehicles are problematic, without governmental interventions similar to Beijing's achievement of 50% public transport modal share by 2030, how can citizens adapt? This deflection merely conceals policy inadequacies."

A Delhi University student protester revealed: "Every winter I experience blood in my cough and chest pain, yet authorities continue blaming Punjab farmers or previous administrations. Why won't they finance clean alternatives instead of pointing fingers?"

Protester Prerna Mehra questioned the reliability of official data: "Can we still trust the government's AQI measurements? After witnessing water being sprayed near monitoring stations when pollution increases, I'm skeptical. Are figures being manipulated, or is water being wasted to artificially reduce readings?"

A 76-year-old Vasant Kunj resident, struggling with respiratory issues, temporarily removed his mask to state: "Governments change, but public suffering persists. I fear for my grandchildren's future. Unchecked construction continues while our green spaces disappear."

A young child held a sign reading: "I want to stay in Delhi with my friends and go to school! Help us breathe."

A medical professional among protesters warned: "One-third of Delhi's children already have compromised lungs, potentially shortening their lives by nearly a decade compared to those in cleaner environments. Prolonged exposure leads to cardiovascular disease, stroke, and asthma – impacts beginning in utero with low birthweight and fetal loss, extending into elderly years. The WHO indicates most of these effects are preventable, yet where is the necessary action?"

#WATCH | Residents of Delhi protest at India Gate, demanding that the government formulate policies to curb air pollution in the National Capital region. pic.twitter.com/Iwxh2np3r5

— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2025

"We placed our hopes in the 'double-engine sarkar,' but following the unsuccessful cloud seeding experiment, we feel let down as pollution levels continue rising," remarked another protester, referencing BJP governance at both central and neighboring state levels.

As demonstrations grew, Delhi Police and paramilitary forces in riot gear intervened. Despite the peaceful nature of the protest – featuring only chants and signs without violence – several participants, including children, were detained. Environmental activist Bhavreen Kandhari, leading the protest, stated: "We requested a meeting with the Chief Minister but were denied. Many parents have joined because their children are suffering. This concerns clean air, not politics."

Organizers reported experiencing persistent police pressure before the event – claiming nearly 100 calls from the DCP to SHOs over three days and threats of FIRs to cancel the gathering. DCP (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla characterized the detentions as "preventive measures."

Environmental activist Vimlendu Jha criticized the authorities' response: "Private monitoring systems show AQI exceeding 999 in multiple locations. Rather than implementing concrete solutions, authorities suppress peaceful protest. Citizens are simply demanding their right to breathe. For 15 days, no meaningful actions like lockdowns or shutdowns were taken – only distractions such as cloud seeding. This is unfortunate."

Police justified their actions citing public order concerns: "No authorization was granted for demonstrations at India Gate," explained a senior officer. DCP Mahla added: "To maintain security, certain protesters were detained. Only Jantar Mantar is designated for demonstrations following proper procedures." Delhi Police had implemented restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS, prohibiting gatherings in the area.

#WATCH | Residents of Delhi protest at India Gate, demanding that the government formulate policies to curb air pollution in the National Capital region. pic.twitter.com/G03Ixjd3Dn

— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2025

Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj described Sunday's demonstration as "non-political," organized by civil society members. "We appreciate a non-political protest addressing pollution. Major institutions including DPCC, CPCB, CAQM, and IMD are distorting data and manipulating statistics. When a government alters its own data, it erodes public trust – prompting intellectual communities to demonstrate. While pollution has been present for a decade, the alarming development is the government's manipulation of figures," he stated.

Delhi environment minister Manjinder Sirsa responded: "AAP governed Delhi for ten years, contaminating its air and water while wasting resources on ineffective measures like the odd-even policy. During the past seven months under Rekha Gupta's leadership, we've deployed smog guns in high-rise buildings, utilized water sprinklers for dust control, monitored construction activities, notified 8,000 industries regarding emissions control, and converted all buses to electric. We're addressing the crisis urgently, but cannot immediately rectify a decade of AAP's environmental negligence."