Delhi residents, students protest at Jantar Mantar over worsening pollution
What's the story
Hundreds of Delhi residents, including students from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi University (DU), and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), protested at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday. The protesters demanded immediate action to tackle the city's deteriorating air quality. The demonstration came as Delhi continues to grapple with "very poor" air quality after Diwali, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining above 300 for several days.
Protest symbols
Protesters use masks, placards to highlight air quality concerns
On Tuesday, Delhi recorded an overall AQI of 341 at 7am, The Indian Express reported. Four monitoring stations recorded "severe" pollution levels. The protesters used industrial-grade respiratory masks as props and held placards with messages like "Delhi ICU mein hai, Govt kahan hai? (Delhi is in the ICU, where's the government?)" Many demonstrators said the worsening air quality has severely affected daily life in northern India.
Government criticism
Protesters criticize government response to air quality crisis
A protester highlighted the impact of poor air quality on health and questioned the viability of a "five-trillion-dollar economy" under such conditions. Another protester, Shahid, slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Delhi government for not addressing real issues. "The government ordered air purifiers for its offices so that leaders can breathe clean air. But what about common people?" he said.
Data manipulation
Protester accuses Delhi government of manipulating AQI data
DU student Anjali also spoke at the protest, recalling a previous demonstration on November 10 at India Gate. She alleged that the Delhi government was manipulating AQI data and wasting public funds on cloud-seeding despite scientific objections. "We will not make peace with the situation. Clean air is our fundamental right," she said during her speech at Jantar Mantar.
Pollution action
Protesters demand action against pollution in Delhi
A boy holding a poster at the protest said he had been suffering from a sore throat due to rising pollution levels. He demanded immediate action to stop pollution, saying "the situation is very poor." The protest at Jantar Mantar was one of several demonstrations held in recent weeks against worsening air quality in Delhi.