Despite Delhi having a “four-engine” BJP government the national capital’s air continues to turn more poisonous each day. On Sunday, hundreds of educated and well-to-do citizens gathered at India Gate to protest against the toxic air choking the capital. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj and Chief Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar joined the demonstrators and spoke to those demanding accountability from the government.
The AAP Delhi Unit Chief said it was a matter of shame that Delhiites were being forced to take to the streets against pollution while the BJP government was busy manipulating AQI data instead of taking action. He added that the protesters were not ordinary citizens but IT professionals, chartered accountants and businesspersons, educated citizens who were now being lathi-charged by the Delhi Police for demanding clean air.
Senior AAP leader and Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj on Sunday joined citizens demonstrating against rising pollution levels at India Gate and condemned the BJP government’s inaction. He said the Delhi Police was dragging educated citizens and upper-middle-class professionals into buses like criminals. “These people have come out on the streets because the government has done nothing to control pollution and is instead busy tampering with AQI data,” Saurabh Bharadwaj said, adding that those protesting included IT professionals, chartered accountants, businessmen, and lawyers.
The AAP Delhi Unit Chief said one protester introduced himself as an executive search professional and remarked, “The country is becoming like Syria. The government will turn the entire nation into another Kashmir.” Another woman protester told Saurabh Bharadwaj that her child had pleaded with her to leave the country, saying Delhi was no longer liveable. “One more protester said the police were treating people like animals. Educated and well-to-do citizens demanding clean air are being lathi-charged,” Saurabh Bharadwaj said.
AAP’s Chief Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar, who was also present at India Gate, said the BJP government had been caught manipulating AQI readings. “Recently, it was seen how BJP used water sprinklers near AQI monitors to make readings appear lower. This is how the BJP is manipulating data. All those gathered here are Delhi residents who understand the seriousness of pollution. Fudging numbers will only further damage the BJP’s credibility,” Priyanka Kakkar said.
She added that the time had come for all Delhiites to unite on this issue. “Even BJP members should have been here. They sit in their homes and offices with air purifiers, while ordinary citizens continue to suffer. The BJP has reportedly ordered 13 air purifiers for its own offices, but the people of Delhi are gasping for clean air,” she said.
The Chief AAP Spokesperson pointed out that during the Aam Aadmi Party government’s tenure, a 365-day action plan was implemented to combat pollution across all seasons, while the BJP has failed to show any responsibility. “The BJP is not only denying the existence of pollution but also playing with people’s health,” she said.
“The BJP must understand that clean air and water are not political issues but basic human needs. Running away from them or denying pollution will not solve the crisis. Spraying water over AQI monitors to fake readings is no solution. If CM Rekha Gupta truly cared about Delhi’s air, she would have come here today, addressed the citizens, and shared what her government has done. Instead, she sits at home with an air purifier while Delhiites choke outside,” Priyanka Kakkar said.
