Delhi residents rally for clean air as pollution hits dangerous highs
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, hundreds of Delhiites—many of them students—gathered at Jantar Mantar to call out the government over the city's hazardous air.
With the Air Quality Index stuck above 300 for days after Diwali and hitting 344 on Tuesday, breathing in Delhi has become a real health risk.
Protesters want real solutions, not quick fixes
Wearing industrial masks and holding signs, protesters criticized the government's focus on things like cloud-seeding and office air purifiers instead of tackling pollution at its source.
Recent protests have also seen kids and activists demanding stricter controls. As one protester put it, clean air is our fundamental right.
Some participants were even detained for protesting without police permission.
Why does this matter?
This wave of protests shows just how fed up people are with empty promises on pollution.
For young people especially, it's about demanding accountability—and fighting for a future where you don't have to worry about what you're breathing every day.