Opposition Leaders Condemn Government Action on Pollution Protesters
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi strongly criticized the BJP government on Sunday for detaining citizens who were protesting against the severe air pollution crisis at India Gate in the national capital. In a sharp post on social media platform X, the Congress leader asserted that the right to clean air is a fundamental human right and accused the authorities of treating peaceful demonstrators like criminals.
Accusations Fly as Capital Chokes
Rahul Gandhi did not mince words in his online statement. "Air pollution is harming our children and the future of our nation. But the government, which came to power through vote chori, simply doesn't care," he wrote. He urgently called for decisive and meaningful action to tackle the public health emergency. His criticism was echoed by other opposition parties as Delhi's air quality plummeted into the 'severe' category, posing serious health risks to residents.
Adding to the chorus of criticism, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar leveled serious allegations against the ruling party. She accused the BJP government of actively manipulating pollution data to hide the true severity of the situation. "The BJP got water sprinkled on AQI monitors to lower the readings. They are hiding the truth while people suffer," she alleged. Kakkar further claimed that BJP leaders were insulated from the crisis, "sitting at home with air purifiers" instead of confronting the public's anguish.
Protesters Stopped, Police Cite Regulations
The protesters at India Gate reported that they were prevented from holding a peaceful demonstration. The Delhi Police intervened, urging the demonstrators to relocate their protest to the designated site at Jantar Mantar. The police clarified that India Gate is not an officially designated area for protests, justifying their action.
The political firestorm erupted as the city's air quality reached alarming levels. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 391 at 7 am on Sunday. Several areas across the city witnessed the AQI crossing the 400 mark, a level classified as 'hazardous' to human health.
In response to the dangerously poor air, authorities have activated Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This indicates a significant escalation in the official response to the environmental crisis, though the opposition argues that the government's actions are insufficient and misdirected.
