Hundreds of Delhites protested in the national capital on Sunday, demanding the Delhi and Union governments to develop measures to curb air pollution in the national capital. The protesters gathered at India Gate with placards and demands to address rising air pollution in Delhi.
Hundreds of parents came with their children for the protest, demanding urgent government action to improve air quality in Delhi. "We want to meet our elected officials. We had sought an appointment with the chief minister but were refused. So many parents are here because their children are suffering," environmentalist Bhavreen Khandari told PTI.
Another protester, Abhishek, said the government had failed to provide clean air to breathe, a basic right for a citizen. "During (former chief minister) Sheila Dikshit's term, Delhi was known as a green capital. Today, it ranks among the most polluted cities in the world. Politicians keep blaming each other instead of taking responsibility," the protester said.
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Another protester furiously said, "The government is not designing any policies and hiding the data. They are sprinkling water at the data centres. Even the cloud seeding didn't work." The police detained several protesters for assembling without permission.
"There was no permission to hold a protest at the India Gate. To maintain law and order and ensure there is no obstruction in security arrangements, some people were detained," a police officer said. DCP (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla said the detentions were preventive in nature. "Only Jantar Mantar is designated as a protest site where permission can be sought by following the due procedure."