cross-posted from: https://discuss.tchncs.de/post/48625571
The protest was primarily organized by concerned citizens and environmental activists who are worried about the serious health impacts of Delhi’s deteriorating air quality.
Many protesters stated that they had requested a meeting with the Delhi Chief Minister to discuss pollution control measures.
Environmentalist Bhavreen Khandari told PTI that the protest was driven by the urgent need to protect children, stating that “every third child already has lung damage and may live nearly 10 years less than children growing up in cleaner air.”
Delhiites faced another day of toxic air on the morning of the protest. Data from the Air Quality Early Warning System showed an AQI of 392, with multiple locations surpassing 400, ranking Delhi among the most polluted cities in India.
At the same time, a separate protest was being held at India Gate regarding the Supreme Court’s order on relocating stray dogs from schools, offices, and institutional areas, adding to the crowd at the national monument.
Delhi Police said several protesters were detained for assembling without permission. A police officer explained that the detentions were necessary “to maintain law and order and ensure there is no obstruction in security arrangements.”
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) publicly supported the anti-pollution protest. Party leader Priyanka Kakkar criticised the Delhi BJP government, accusing it of ignoring rising pollution levels and manipulating official data to downplay the severity of the crisis.
Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj described the protest as “non-political” and noted that many educated citizens and civil society members participated due to the growing trust deficit in government pollution data. He highlighted that institutions such as DPCC, CPCB, CAQM, and IMD were allegedly manipulating figures, prompting citizens to take their concerns to the streets.
Protesters emphasized that urgent government action is needed to reduce air pollution levels in the city and protect public health, especially that of children. The demonstration reflected growing public frustration and distrust, signaling that residents may increasingly resort to public protests if authorities fail to address the crisis effectively.
A thick layer of toxic smog enveloped Delhi this morning, resulting in drastically reduced visibility across major areas such as Lodhi Road, Akshardham, and India Gate. Air Quality Index (AQI) readings for these locations ranged from ‘Very Poor’ (377–381) to ‘Severe’ (412), far above safe levels defined by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
My personal note - The data isn’t accurate, it’s much worse. There are various attempts to hide/alter the data and misguide citizens.