Air pollution in Delhi has reached severe levels. Controversy escalated over police action following a protest at India Gate demanding clean air. Rahul Gandhi questioned why those asking for clean air were treated harshly.
New Delhi: Air pollution in Delhi continues to be at a severe level. This pollution is affecting the health of millions of people living in Delhi and its surrounding areas. Breathing is becoming difficult amidst the smog and toxic air. Political debate on this situation has also intensified. The opposition has demanded immediate action from the government. Meanwhile, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has raised a significant question: why are those demanding clean air being treated like criminals?
Rahul Gandhi Targets Government
Sharing a post on social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi stated that breathing clean air is a human right for every citizen. He wrote that the Constitution of India allows peaceful protests. In this context, it is important to understand why severe action was taken against people who were merely demanding clean air and a healthy environment.
Rahul Gandhi said that millions of people are being affected by air pollution. This situation has become extremely dangerous for children and the elderly. The very air they breathe is harming their bodies. He stated that this is not just a question of health but also of the nation's future.
"Government That Came to Power Through 'Vote Theft' Doesn't Care About the Public"
Rahul Gandhi accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to understand and solve the public's problems. He said that a government that came to power through "vote theft" cannot care about the public.
According to him, pollution is a crisis whose impact slowly becomes visible across the entire society. It leads to economic, social, and health-related problems. Therefore, delaying the resolution of this issue is dangerous for the future of the country.
The Case of the Protest at India Gate
The previous day, several citizens marched at India Gate regarding air pollution in Delhi. Their objective was for the government to immediately address this problem and take effective steps. The protesters included many youth, students, and social activists.
However, the Delhi Police detained these protesters. Following this action, questions arose as to why they were treated like criminals when they were exercising their constitutional rights. This is the issue Rahul Gandhi has highlighted.
Delhi Police's Response
New Delhi DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla stated that India Gate is not a designated place for protests. Jantar Mantar has been designated for any kind of sit-in or protest in Delhi. According to the police, protesters had already been instructed that demonstrations are not permitted at India Gate.
The police stated that India Gate is a national monument where people visit with their families. Any protest there affects public order and could pose a security risk. Therefore, the protesters were detained based on existing regulations.
