Delhi, 5/1 : Members of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a vigorous protest inside the Delhi Assembly premises on Monday, drawing critical attention to the rapidly deteriorating air quality in the national capital. The protest, led by Leader of Opposition Atishi, saw MLAs donning industrial-grade masks and raising slogans, demanding immediate and decisive action from the government to combat the severe pollution crisis.
The demonstration commenced on the opening day of the Winter Session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, with AAP legislators expressing profound concern over the public health emergency gripping the city. Atishi, also known as Atishi Marlena, underscored that Delhi’s toxic air poses a significant threat, particularly to children, senior citizens, and individuals suffering from respiratory ailments. She accused the authorities of failing to respond with the necessary urgency to this critical situation.
The protesting MLAs demanded stricter measures to control various sources of pollution, including vehicular emissions, industrial discharges, and stubble burning in neighbouring states. They also called for accountability regarding the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and raised allegations of air quality data manipulation. During the heated proceedings, four AAP MLAs – Sanjeev Jha, Kuldeep Kumar, Jarnail Singh, and Somdutt – were reportedly expelled from the House for creating a ruckus while pressing their demands. AAP MLA Gopal Rai also emphasized the need for a thorough debate on pollution in the Assembly, stating that Delhiites deserved answers.
The protest unfolded as Delhi, along with other Indian cities like Mumbai and Guwahati, woke up to a dense layer of fog, severely impacting visibility and disrupting flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 260 in the ‘poor’ category by 8 AM on Monday. Specific areas showed even higher pollution levels, with Akshardham recording an AQI of 294, ITO at 256, and Anand Vihar dipping into the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI of 320. Chandni Chowk was among the worst-affected, registering an AQI of 337, also classified as ‘very poor’.
The AAP leaders questioned the Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena’s previous assertions regarding pollution reduction and criticized the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report tabled in the House, calling it a reflection of the government’s failures. They reiterated their commitment to continue raising the issue until effective solutions are implemented to ensure cleaner air for Delhi’s residents.
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