Opposition leaders from the Congress and the INDIA alliance launched a sharp attack on the government over the severe air pollution crisis in the national capital, staging protests both inside and outside Parliament on Thursday.
Inside and Outside Parliament: A Dual Protest
The political confrontation unfolded on the opening day of the winter session. Inside the Lok Sabha, Congress MPs including Manish Tewari, Manickam Tagore, and Mohd Jawed demanded an immediate discussion on the hazardous air quality. Manish Tewari urged Speaker Om Birla to show sensitivity towards the grave issue affecting millions. However, the Speaker turned down their request for a debate.
Simultaneously, a large contingent of opposition MPs, led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former president Sonia Gandhi, held a vocal protest outside the Parliament building. They carried a prominent banner that sarcastically stated 'Mausam ka maza lijiye' (Enjoy the weather), directly mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks. Many MPs also wore large masks and held placards to visually underscore the health emergency.
Leaders Highlight Public Suffering
Speaking to the media, Sonia Gandhi emphasized the government's duty to act. "It is the government's responsibility to do something as children are dying. Old people like me are also finding it difficult," she stated, pointing to the vulnerability of the young and elderly.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also criticized the administration's response. "In Delhi, children and the elderly are unable to breathe. Every year the situation worsens, but the government takes no concrete steps, only issuing statements," she said, taking a dig at the PM's advice to enjoy the weather.
A Recurring Crisis Demands Action
The protest highlights the growing political pressure on the ruling dispensation to address the annual environmental catastrophe that grips Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). The opposition's unified stance signals that air pollution is no longer just an environmental or health issue but a significant political one, with the INDIA bloc aiming to hold the government accountable for what they call a lack of decisive action.
The key facts from the day are:
- Date: Thursday, the opening day of Parliament's winter session.
- Key Leaders: Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
- Protest Location: Inside Lok Sabha and outside Parliament.
- Government Response: The Chair denied the request for an immediate discussion in the House.
The event sets the stage for a stormy parliamentary session where environmental governance and public health are expected to be major points of contention.
