Subhechcha Ganguly 
Delhi’s worsening air quality sparked a protest at India Gate on Sunday, with many mothers and children joining environmental activists to demand urgent government action for clean air. Protesters said their repeated requests to meet officials, including the Chief Minister, were denied.
“Our children are suffering. Every third child has damaged lungs and will live nearly 10 years less than those breathing cleaner air,” environmentalist Bhavreen Khandari told PTI.
The protest unfolded as Delhi’s air quality remained in the “severe” category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 392 and several areas crossing 400, ranking the capital among the most polluted cities in the country.
Simultaneously, another group demonstrated against the Supreme Court’s ruling on relocating stray dogs from schools and institutional areas.
Police said several individuals were detained for assembling without permission. “There was no approval to hold a protest at India Gate. To maintain law and order and ensure security, some people were detained,” an officer stated.
