Written by Drishti JainNew Delhi | November 10, 2025 06:25 AM IST 3 min readAt least 80 protesters were detained on Sunday at India Gate. (Express photo by Amit Mehra)“India Gate is not a designated protest site” — the announcements by police officers rent the air on Sunday evening as at least 400 people gathered to protest, donning masks and holding banners, against the worsening air pollution in Delhi. At least 80 of them were detained as clashes ensued between demonstrators and officers. They were packed into buses and taken to different police stations, said officers.Among the demonstrators were children and elderly. “The protestors had blocked the Man Singh Road, which caused traffic snarls. We requested them to move from there but they didn’t. So they were detained in order to clear the road. They all have been taken to different police stations,” a senior police officer said.‘Breathing is killing me,’ ‘I’m here for my grandchildren,’ ‘Invisible emergency,’ ‘ How many deaths will it take till we know too many people have died?’ read the banners.“I’m a concerned mother and I’m here for my child because this polluted air is killing us all and we want to bring our children in clean air. This polluted air is damaging their lungs and they can’t play outside. This has been going on for several years but nothing is being done,” said Jasmine, mother of a fourteen-year-old, adding that “everyone is concerned about the children and elderly”.Highlighting the need for political will, Vimlendu Jha, an environmental activist, said, “In the last fifteen days, the AQI has been in hazardous levels. Delhi’s citizens don’t even know how polluted the air is. In fact many monitors have been shut down at the peak of it, we have also seen water sprinkling exercises to manipulate data. The government is managing perception rather than trying to manage pollution. This morning, AQI readings at 22 centres went past 400.”Jha added, “People are asking for their right to breathe. This is as fundamental as breathing and people are asking for it in India’s capital as something illegal according to the government and police.”Holding a placard reading, “No towers on the Ridge, let Delhi Breathe, save B-1 Vasant Kunj,” Suresh Kumar Ojha (67) said, “There are about 5,000 residents in B-1 Vasant Kunj. Currently, a multi-storey building is being built … there will be pollution and congestion. I request the Delhi government not to give permission for such constructions.”Story continues below this adMeanwhile, police officers were heard making announcements: “Kindly seek permission and protest at the Jantar Mantar. It is requested that people should leave the place immediately… otherwise legal action will be taken.”Earlier in the day, the Delhi Police had issued a letter to the organisers. The office of Additional DCP, New Delhi stated, “Information has been received through reliable sources that you along with your supporters will hold a programme…. In this regard, it is to inform you that Section 163 BNSS is in force in the entire area of New Delhi District except Jantar Mantar, therefore protest at India Gate cannot be permitted in view of security, law and order and traffic reasons and existing guidelines framed in compliance of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India’s order dated 23.07.2018,” the letter read.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Delhi air pollution