Delhi Residents Protest at India Gate as Smog Turns Air Unbreathable, AQI Hits 346
Delhi’s air has hit a breaking point. On Sunday, hundreds of residents gathered near India Gate to protest against the city’s toxic smog. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 346, the air turned thick and grey, making it hard to breathe. Protesters — including families, students, and senior citizens — carried banners reading “We Can’t Breathe” and “Clean Air for All”.
Many people wore masks and distributed plants as a sign of hope. Several parents said their children were falling sick again and again due to the pollution. “We are not asking for anything big, just clean air,” said a mother holding her child at the rally.
Police stopped the crowd from marching further, and some protesters were taken away briefly. Still, the gathering continued peacefully, showing how tired Delhiites are of the same problem every winter — smog, burning eyes, and endless coughing.
Experts say the main reasons behind the poor air are vehicle smoke, factory pollution, and stubble burning in nearby states. Schools may close again if the air stays this bad, and hospitals are already seeing more asthma and breathing cases.
Why it matters: Delhi’s pollution is no longer just an environmental issue — it’s a health emergency. People are now coming out on the streets to demand action, not promises. They want real steps like cleaner transport, less crop burning, and stricter pollution checks.
The bottom line: The people of Delhi are tired of waiting for clean air. Sunday’s protest was a reminder that fresh air is not a luxury — it’s a basic right that everyone deserves.
