Delhi Clean‐Air Protest Turns Violent at India Gate
A protest against Delhi’s worsening air pollution turned violent on Sunday near India Gate and C-Hexagon when demonstrators allegedly attacked police officers with pepper spray. The crowd had gathered to demand urgent action against toxic air quality, but tensions escalated when protesters blocked roads and refused to disperse. Authorities detained 15 people involved in the unrest.
Injuries and Police Response
During the clash, three to four police personnel reportedly suffered irritation from the pepper spray and required medical attention. Police said that some protesters entered the blocked road, ignored warnings and then resisted removal, prompting the use of force and the detentions. A case is expected to be filed under sections related to obstruction of law-and-order duties and use of prohibited substances.
Protesters’ Grievances and Escalation
The demonstration was organized in response to Delhi-NCR’s hazardous air quality index (AQI) exceeding 400, which led to health alerts and school schedule changes. Initially peaceful, the protest turned disruptive when participants reportedly ignored barricades and officers’ warnings. The government has already been criticised for repeated air-quality emergencies, and this incident adds strain to its environmental policy image.
What Happens Next
Investigations are ongoing to identify all individuals involved and determine whether the pepper spray and barricade breach formed part of an organised escalation. In the near term, authorities may tighten control around protest sites and review protocols for crowd management and public‐space use. The event also raises fresh questions about citizens’ right to protest versus public safety, especially when health crises prompt mass demonstrations.
