• Hundreds protest in New Delhi against worsening air quality.
• Dozens were detained by police at the protest near India Gate.
• Air quality index in Delhi has reached hazardous levels.
• Calls for the government to declare a health emergency due to pollution.
• Protesters emphasize the right to clean air and safe living conditions.

On Sunday, hundreds of protesters gathered at India Gate in New Delhi to demand urgent government action against the city's severe air pollution crisis. Many participants held banners and chanted slogans calling for clean air, as the Air Quality Index (AQI) surged into hazardous levels, with readings surpassing 350, categorizing the air quality as “very poor” according to India’s Central Pollution Control Board. Protesters were determined to raise awareness on the issue, with some stating, "Our lungs are getting damaged. The government should declare it a health emergency until they find a solution to it," indicating the health implications of the toxic air surrounding them, according to Reuters and BBC.

During the protest, police detained around 80 individuals, stating they had no permission to gather at that specific location. "India Gate is not a protest site. It is a high-security area," remarked senior police officer Devesh Mahla, reaffirming the authorities' position on the matter. Despite the detentions, the protest was lauded as a significant public mobilization regarding pollution, which is an issue that escalates during the winter months due to various factors, including crop residue burning in adjacent states, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollutants, as highlighted by BBC and Al Jazeera.

The protest reflects broader frustrations regarding government inaction to address air pollution, which has severe implications for public health in Delhi—the world’s most polluted capital. Activists are urging the government to implement more robust measures as pollution typically worsens in winter due to the cold air trapping toxins closer to the ground. The environmental consequences are dire, with air quality deterioration leading to increased respiratory diseases and threats to public health, according to Reuters, BBC, and Al Jazeera.

The government has struggled to devise effective solutions to curb air pollution despite introducing a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which limits diesel use and construction activities during severe pollution events. Recent attempts to mitigate pollution, including cloud seeding to create artificial rain, have not yielded positive results, drawing criticism from residents and activists alike. Protesters highlight that recent measures, like spraying water on roads, are inadequate. As stated by Delhi's environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the government is pushing to implement additional measures, "We will continue every possible effort to rid us of pollution," emphasizing ongoing governmental commitments despite the evident challenges, according to BBC and Al Jazeera.