Over a hundred citizens, including students, activists, and volunteers, gathered at India Gate on Sunday to protest against the deteriorating air quality and demanded that the government step up efforts to combat rising pollution in the national capital.
Chanting slogans and holding handmade placards reading ‘Saaf hawa sabka haq hai (clean air is everyone’s right)’ and ‘Delhi is injurious to health’, the protesters stood in small groups across the lawns, many wearing masks and carrying air quality monitors to highlight the crisis. “We have been seeing the air quality worsening in the city despite the change of regimes. The governments don’t care about the people. What was the point of allowing firecrackers during Deepavali?” said Pihu, a protester from Noida.
The protest continued for nearly two hours despite repeated warnings from the police to disperse. Around four buses carrying Delhi Police personnel and the CRPF’s Rapid Action Force were stationed at the site. “The government talks about development. Air pollution raises the question of whose development are you talking about when the air quality has been deteriorating consistently? This model of development is anti-people,” said Ilakya, a student and member of Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch.
