Delhi Air Pollution Protest: At India Gate on Sunday a protest against Delhi-NCR’s rapidly worsening air quality took an unexpected turn. A peaceful demand for urgent action on pollution escalated after a section of protesters allegedly used pepper spray on police personnel attempting to clear the road.
The incident took place on a day when Delhi’s air quality index remained at hazardous levels, adding a fresh note of urgency to a crisis the capital has been battling for weeks.
What Happened at India Gate
According to officials present at the scene, a group of demonstrators had assembled near C-hexagon and raised slogans related to deteriorating air in the national capital. Police tried to keep traffic moving along the stretch where ambulances and emergency services also pass frequently.
#WATCH | Delhi: A group of protesters holds a protest at India Gate over air pollution in Delhi-NCR. They were later removed from the spot by police personnel pic.twitter.com/DBEZTeET0U
— ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2025
As police requested the crowd to move back, the situation heightened with some protesters forcing their way through the barricades.
Pepper Spray Attack on Police
- Authorities say the protest turned volatile when some people used pepper spray on officers trying to disperse them.
- Three to four police personnel experienced irritation of the eyes and face.
- They were taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for treatment.
- Officials have described the incident as unprecedented in a Delhi crowd-control situation.
- Police say legal action is underway against those responsible.
Rising Air Pollution & Public Anger
- Sunday’s protest followed a series of such demonstrations in the past few days. People have started taking to the streets as air quality has spiralled downwards across Delhi-NCR.
- Delhi’s AQI averaged 391, putting the capital in the “very poor” category.
- Noida recorded 418 and Ghaziabad 437, both “severe”.
- Pollution hardly improved despite GRAP-IV restrictions across NCR.
- Opposition parties blamed the administration for not undertaking effective measures.
Police Response & Traffic Concerns
“This was very unusual. For the first time, protestors used chilli spray on officers managing traffic and law and order,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla told PTI.
- Officials said protesters crossing barricades endangered the movement of traffic in a sensitive corridor.
- Police reported gridlock and difficultly to move ambulances.
- The crowd would not move off the carriageway despite repeated requests.
- Officers moved in to prevent a scuffle, at which point the pepper-spray assault occurred.
- Eventually, police cleared the demonstrators from the site to restore the flow of traffic.
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Delhi recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 391 under the ‘very poor’ category, according to central pollution control board average reading over the past 24 hours.
Delhi’s Alarmingly High AQI Levels
Delhi’s air quality remained stuck in the “very poor” zone with an average AQI of 391, while Noida and Ghaziabad slipped into the “severe” range at over 400. Faridabad and Ballabhgarh stayed in the “poor” category, driven by high PM2.5 levels.
Even with the strictest GRAP measures in force, the air showed little improvement. Authorities have shifted several Stage IV curbs into Stage III, allowing states to decide on reduced office attendance or remote work as pollution across NCR continues to worsen.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on information shared by officials and agencies. Details may change as authorities release further updates.
