Opposition politicians in India have staged protests in parliament, demanding the government declare a national emergency over the catastrophic air pollution choking the capital, Delhi. The call to action highlights a dire public health situation affecting an estimated 30 million residents.
Parliamentary Outcry Over a 'Gas Chamber'
On Thursday 4 December 2025, Congress lawmaker Vijay Kumar moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of parliament, urging an urgent debate. He described Delhi as an "open air gas chamber" where tens of millions are breathing toxic air that damages every organ in the body.
"Every breath inhaled today is a health risk. Every minute of delay is a betrayal. India is suffocating. This House must act, now!" Kumar stated, pushing for the declaration of a national public health emergency to activate science-based clean air plans.
The crisis peaks annually between October and November, when cold, dense air traps emissions from vehicles, construction, and agricultural burning. This creates a thick smog that consistently ranks among the world's worst pollution levels.
Severe Health Impacts and Data Concerns
Official government data presented to parliament this week revealed the staggering scale of the health emergency. Between 2022 and 2024, more than 200,000 cases of acute respiratory illnesses were recorded at just six state-run hospitals in Delhi. Over the past three years, this led to the hospitalisation of more than 30,000 people.
Kumar emphasised that the pollution is causing long-term illness and early death, particularly in children and young adults. He also raised serious allegations of "manipulation of air quality data," claiming that during the recent Diwali festival, only 9 out of 37 air monitoring stations in Delhi were operational.
"Twenty-eight stations – 28 lifelines of critical data – were dead when the people needed them most," he accused.
Political and Public Response
Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi appealed for immediate government intervention, stressing that air pollution is not a political issue. "It is the government's responsibility to do something as children are dying," she told reporters.
The public frustration has spilled onto the streets, with police in Delhi arresting several demonstrators earlier this week who had gathered to protest the deteriorating air quality. In response to the crisis, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced the formation of a specialised committee, calling it an "emergency mission."
The air quality is measured by the concentration of PM2.5 – fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the lungs. For much of the year, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) remains 'poor' or 'very poor,' but in winter, it frequently hits the 'severe' level, which is dangerous even for healthy individuals and life-threatening for those with existing conditions.
