Delhi-NCR Chokes as Political Battle Heats Up Over Pollution Crisis
The national capital region continues to grapple with severe air pollution as political tensions escalate over the government's handling of the environmental crisis. The Congress party has launched a sharp attack on the Centre following the detention of several protesters who were demanding clean air at India Gate.
Political Outcry Over Protest Detentions
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh led the offensive against the government, highlighting the irony that the protest occurred at India Gate on Kartavya Path - a name given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. Ramesh asserted that when the government fails miserably in its duties, the people must fulfill theirs.
The political confrontation unfolded after scores of protesters, including parents and environmental activists, assembled at India Gate on Sunday to demonstrate against the worsening air quality in Delhi. According to police officials, several participants were detained for assembling without proper permission, though they were later released.
Rahul Gandhi's Strong Condemnation
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined the criticism, questioning why citizens peacefully demanding clean air were being treated like criminals. In a post on social media platform X, Gandhi called for decisive action on air pollution right now, instead of attacking citizens asking for clean air.
His remarks came in response to environmentalist Vimlendu Jha's post detailing how protesters were taken away and shoved into buses by authorities. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from opposition parties and environmental groups alike.
Visible Pollution Crisis Grips Capital
Visuals from across Delhi showed the city enveloped in a thick layer of smog during the early hours of Monday, with significantly reduced visibility on roads and residential areas. The alarming air quality levels have raised serious health concerns among residents and medical professionals.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR has consistently remained in the severe category, prompting authorities to implement various pollution control measures. However, the persistent smog conditions indicate that these measures have provided little relief to the citizens.
In a separate tragic incident highlighting the city's infrastructure challenges, a 23-year-old woman from Manipur died of electrocution while heating water with an electric rod at her house in southwest Delhi's Mahipalpur. Police confirmed they received a PCR call at 8:19 pm on Sunday regarding the incident and found the woman unresponsive in her bathroom, still holding the electric rod.
The convergence of environmental crisis and political confrontation underscores the growing public frustration over the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. As Delhi residents continue to breathe toxic air, the demand for effective and immediate solutions grows louder with each passing day.
