Delhi Protest: Activists Detained as Air Pollution Crisis Deepens
Description :
Dozens held near India Gate as environmental groups demand urgent action on Delhi’s toxic air; police cite security concerns amid worsening AQI levels.
Published on:
12 November 2025 | 09:35 PM (GMT +05:30, IST, India)
Published by: Mr. Dibakar Mandal
Introduction
New Delhi, India —
Dozens of environmental activists, students, and concerned citizens were detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday afternoon after they staged a large-scale protest near India Gate, demanding emergency government action to combat the capital’s worsening air-pollution crisis.
The protesters, many wearing anti-smog masks and holding placards reading “Let Us Breathe” and “Right to Clean Air = Right to Life,” gathered at the historic site shortly before noon. Organised under the banner of “Clean Air Collective Delhi,” the rally aimed to draw attention to what campaigners describe as “state inaction amid a public-health emergency.”
The demonstration coincided with another day of choking haze in Delhi, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) hovered between 390 and 420, firmly in the “Very Poor” range. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), PM2.5 concentrations were nearly 18 times higher than World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits (WHO Air Quality Guidelines).
Police deployed heavy security around Rajpath and adjoining areas, citing prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. By 2 p.m., officers began detaining demonstrators who refused to disperse.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) Ravindra Yadav told Reuters (source):
“We respect citizens’ right to protest, but prior permission is required in this high-security zone. Around 48 individuals were taken into preventive custody to maintain order.”
Activist Ritika Sharma, a 23-year-old law student, shouted before being escorted away:
“If breathing clean air is illegal, arrest us all! Delhi’s children are suffocating while leaders argue.”
Public support poured in online, with social-media hashtags #CleanAirNow and #DelhiSmogCrisis trending across platforms.
Context and Crisis Overview
Delhi’s toxic smog has become an annual ordeal between October and January, driven by a cocktail of crop-residue burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial output from the National Capital Region. This year’s haze has persisted for more than two weeks despite the enforcement of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-3), which restricts construction and non-essential traffic.
The World Bank estimates that air pollution costs India 1.5 % of its GDP annually, while UNICEF warns that over 30 million children in North India risk long-term respiratory and cognitive harm (UNICEF India Air Quality Report).
A joint statement from WHO and UN Environment Programme (UNEP) called Delhi’s air crisis “a silent pandemic” requiring immediate inter-state and cross-border cooperation (UN News Environment Coverage).
Protest Demands and Civil Society Response
At the heart of Tuesday’s protest was a charter of demands submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The petition called for:
- Immediate implementation of GRAP Stage IV if AQI exceeds 450.
- A permanent inter-state council to coordinate stubble-management policy.
- Air-purifier systems in all government schools and hospitals.
- Subsidies for electric buses and public transport.
- Mandatory real-time AQI display boards across Delhi-NCR.
Environmental researcher Dr. Ramesh Rao told BBC News (BBC Environment Section):
“These protesters represent a generation demanding accountability. For years, air pollution was dismissed as seasonal; now it’s recognized as a human-rights issue.”
Following nearly three hours of demonstration, police loaded activists onto buses and transported them to nearby police stations for identification. Most were released later that evening after routine documentation.
Health Implications and Expert Warnings
Medical experts have repeatedly warned that sustained exposure to PM2.5 levels above 250 µg/m³ can cause severe respiratory distress. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), hospital admissions for asthma and COPD have surged by 35 % since the start of November.
Dr. Arvind Kumar, noted lung-surgeon at Medanta Hospital, explained:
“Each winter we see a spike in respiratory illnesses, but this year’s cases are hitting younger age groups. Air pollution today is doing to our lungs what tobacco did over decades.”
WHO’s latest data lists air pollution as the world’s fourth-largest killer, responsible for 6.7 million deaths annually (WHO Global Health Estimate 2023).
Political and Administrative Reactions
The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal acknowledged citizens’ frustration but appealed for calm, stating the government was “doing everything possible within its jurisdiction.” Opposition parties accused both state and central authorities of “tokenism” and called for an emergency parliamentary session on urban air quality.
The Union Environment Minister, in a late-evening press release, reiterated that pollution control requires “cooperation from all northern states” and assured that central agencies were monitoring emissions from industrial corridors and power plants.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court scheduled a special environmental bench to review progress under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
Global Concern and International Response
Foreign embassies have issued air-quality advisories for staff and citizens in Delhi. The U.S. Embassy Air Quality Monitor recorded a PM2.5 reading of 412, while the British High Commission advised vulnerable personnel to work remotely.
International organisations, including UNICEF, UNEP, and the World Bank, have expressed solidarity with affected communities and urged India to fast-track its National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) targets (World Bank Environment Data).
Human Stories from the Ground
Among the detainees was Meena Khurana, a 52-year-old teacher who travelled from Ghaziabad to join the rally.
“I teach eight-year-olds who can’t run during recess because their throats burn. If we don’t act now, what future are we giving them?”
Nearby, college volunteers distributed N95 masks and pamphlets explaining how particulate matter harms the lungs and heart. Local shopkeepers temporarily shut shutters in solidarity, chanting “Clean Air, Clean Future.”
Law Enforcement and Aftermath
Police sources confirmed that 48 protesters were booked under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act for unlawful assembly. No injuries were reported, and all detainees were released after formal warnings by nightfall.
An internal report cited concerns that large gatherings could escalate into confrontations given the heavy smog and visibility below 300 metres. Authorities defended the detentions as “preventive, not punitive.”
Environmental Policy Gap
Experts argue that despite multiple plans — NCAP, GRAP, and local action programmes — Delhi lacks consistent inter-state enforcement. Agricultural burning in Punjab and Haryana continues unchecked despite court orders, and vehicular emissions remain a major contributor.
Dr. Sunita Narain, Director-General of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said:
“What we saw today is citizens expressing desperation. Unless long-term systemic change occurs, protests will become as regular as the smog itself.”
Economic and Social Impact
The smog has paralysed outdoor economic activity. According to a FICCI survey, small businesses reported losses of up to 40 % this month. Ride-share drivers and vendors also complained of reduced demand and health issues.
Schools, meanwhile, remain under hybrid-learning orders, extending the digital divide among students (See UNESCO Education Data).
Future Outlook: Will the Air Clear?
Meteorologists predict minor relief after Friday as light showers and wind shifts may disperse pollutants. However, SAFAR-India forecasts AQI levels will remain in the “Poor” category through the week.
Environmentalists emphasize that public participation — from reducing personal vehicle use to reporting open burning — is crucial alongside policy enforcement.
“Clean air is not a privilege but a collective responsibility,” said UN Environment Programme spokesperson Maria Neira.
Conclusion
The India Gate protest underscores growing public impatience with recurring pollution crises that have turned Delhi’s winter skies toxic. For many, the detentions only amplified the message that citizens are willing to be arrested for breathable air.
Until decisive, coordinated action replaces short-term firefighting, the smog will continue to blanket the capital — and the chants of “We Can’t Breathe” will echo every season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was the purpose of the anti-pollution protest?
Citizens and environmental groups gathered near India Gate to demand immediate government action on Delhi’s worsening air quality and stricter enforcement of clean-air laws.
2. How many people were detained?
Delhi Police confirmed detaining around 48 individuals under preventive custody; all were released later the same day.
3. What is Delhi’s current AQI?
On Tuesday, AQI readings ranged between 390 and 420 — categorised as “Very Poor” — with PM2.5 levels nearly 18 times above WHO limits.
4. What steps has the government taken so far?
Authorities have implemented GRAP-3 restrictions, halted construction, restricted diesel vehicles, and urged work-from-home measures.
5. What are experts recommending for long-term change?
Experts urge stricter inter-state coordination, clean energy transition, public transport investment, and community participation to reduce overall emissions.
External Sources Referenced: WHO, UNICEF, UN News, Reuters, BBC, UNESCO
