‘India Gate is not a designated site for protest’ – Advertisements Police officers rent the air on Sunday evening as at least 400 people gathered to protest, wearing masks and carrying placards, against worsening air pollution in Delhi. At least 80 of them were arrested after clashes broke out between demonstrators and officers. The officers said they were packed into buses and taken to different police stations.
Among the demonstrators were children and the elderly. “The protesters blocked Man Singh Road, causing traffic jam. We asked them to move from there but they did not. So they were detained in order to open the road. They have all been taken to different police stations,” a senior police officer said.
“Breathing is killing me”, “I’m here for my grandchildren”, “Invisible emergency”, “How many deaths will it take until we know that many people have died?” Reading signs.
“I am a worried mother and I am here for my child because this polluted air is killing us all and we want to bring our children to clean air. This polluted air is harming their lungs and they cannot play outside. This has been going on for several years but nothing has been done,” said Yasmine, mother of a 14-year-old, adding that “everyone is worried about the children and the elderly.”
Highlighting the need for political will, Vimlindu Jha, an environmental activist, said: “In the last 15 days, AQI has been at dangerous levels. The citizens of Delhi do not even know the extent of the air pollution. In fact, many monitoring machines were shut down at its peak, and we also witnessed water spraying drills to process the data. The government is running perception rather than trying to manage the pollution. This morning, AQI readings crossed 22 places. 400.”
Jha added: “People are demanding their right to breathe. This is as basic as breathing, and people are demanding it in the Indian capital as something illegal according to the government and police.”
“No towers on hills, let Delhi breathe, save B-1 Vasant Kunj. There are around 5,000 residents in B-1 Vasant Kunj. Currently, a multi-storey building is being built… There will be pollution and congestion. I request the Delhi government not to grant permission for such constructions,” said Suresh Kumar Ojha (67), holding a placard that read, “No towers on hills. Let Delhi breathe. Save B-1 Vasant Kunj. There are around 5,000 residents in B-1 Vasant Kunj. Currently, a multi-storey building is being built… There will be pollution and congestion. I request the Delhi government not to grant permission for such constructions.”
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Meanwhile, police officers were heard making announcements: “Please seek permission and protest at Jantar Mantar. People are asked to leave the place immediately…otherwise legal action will be taken.”
Earlier in the day, Delhi Police issued a letter to the organisers. The Additional DCP’s office in New Delhi stated, “Information has been received from reliable sources that you will be holding a program with your supporters…. In this regard, we would like to inform you that Section 163 BNSS is in force in the entire New Delhi district except Jantar Mantar and hence protest cannot be allowed at India Gate in view of security, law and order, traffic reasons and existing guidelines laid down as per the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India dated ‘23.07.2018’,” the letter said.
(tags for translation) India Gate Protest
