Congress Unites in Outrage: Demands Action Against Government’s Unjust Detention of Clean Air Protesters
On November 9, 2025, a significant protest took place at India Gate in New Delhi, where scores of citizens, including parents and environmental activists, gathered to voice their concerns over the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. The demonstration sparked a strong response from the Congress party, which criticized the government for briefly detaining several protesters, claiming it reflects a failure to address an ongoing environmental crisis.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh condemned the detentions, emphasizing that the protesters were exercising their constitutional rights under Article 51-A(g), which mandates citizens to protect and improve the natural environment. Ramesh noted the significance of India Gate, located on Kartavya Path-a name coined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-highlighting that the citizens were simply fulfilling their responsibility to advocate for cleaner air. “When the government is failing miserably in its ‘kartavya’, the people must fulfill theirs,” he stated on social media platform X.
The unrest escalated after reports surfaced that individuals protesting the air quality degradation were detained by authorities for assembling without permission. Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader, criticized this action, questioning why peaceful citizens demanding clean air were treated like criminals. He stressed the importance of respecting the right to peaceful protest and called for immediate government action against air pollution, labeling it a basic human right issue.
Gandhi responded to environmentalist Vimlendu Jha, who shared on social media that protesters had been forcibly removed and taken away on a bus. “The right to clean air is a basic human right,” Gandhi asserted, adding that citizens should not be penalized for advocating for their health and well-being. He lamented the current administration’s lack of action, saying, “Air pollution is affecting millions of Indians, harming our children and the future of our nation.”
Authorities, represented by New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahla, defended the detentions, stating they were preventative in nature. He explained that Jantar Mantar is the only site officially designated for protests in the area, where individuals must seek permission through proper channels.
The protest resonated with the public, especially among parents standing with their children, who demanded urgent action from the government to resolve the air quality crisis. As New Delhi continues to grapple with severe air pollution, the voices of concerned citizens echo the urgent call for environmental accountability.
This unfolding situation shines a spotlight on the broader discussion about air quality in urban India, where millions are impacted daily. Activists and opposition leaders emphasize the need for government transparency and immediate responses to this public health crisis, reminding officials of their obligations to protect citizens and the environment. As the debate on air quality intensifies, the people’s right to protest and demand cleaner air remains a focal point for political discourse in the nation’s capital.
As this narrative evolves, it becomes clear that the fight for sustainable urban living and environmental responsibility is not just a matter of policy-it’s a fundamental right that citizens rightfully seek to protect.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/congress-slams-government-over-detention-of-protesters-demanding-clean-air/article70261742.ece
Category : Delhi
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Publish Date: 2025-11-10 12:31:00
