Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition and Congress leader, described the ongoing air pollution crisis in North India as a “national emergency” during an interview with environmentalist Vimlendu Jha on Friday. Gandhi emphasized the need for a collective national response, urging all Members of Parliament (MPs) to come together and address the issue without resorting to political blame games.
In the interview, Gandhi highlighted the severe impact of air pollution, particularly on the poorest communities, who suffer the most from toxic air. He pointed out that families are struggling to breathe clean air, children are falling ill, and millions of lives are being cut short. He also raised concerns about the decline in tourism and the damage to India’s global reputation. Gandhi stated, “Air pollution in North India is a public health crisis stealing our children’s future, suffocating the elderly, and wreaking havoc on our environment and economy.”
Standing in front of India Gate, Gandhi shared that he himself was experiencing breathing difficulties and itchy eyes due to the poor air quality. He noted that with the Winter Session of Parliament set to begin on November 25, MPs will be reminded of the pollution crisis through irritated eyes and sore throats. He mentioned that the Air Quality Index (AQI) was at 396, which falls within the “very poor” to “severe” category, underlining the severity of the issue.
In the video shared on X, Gandhi discussed the sources of air pollution with Jha. According to Jha, the pollution stems from both episodic sources such as stubble burning and firecrackers, and perennial sources like vehicular emissions, which contribute to 50% of the polluted air in Delhi. Jha explained that construction and demolition dust also adds significantly to the pollution, contributing to 30% of the total.
Jha further noted that while stubble burning is a major issue, it lasts only for three weeks, and disproportionate blame should not be placed solely on farmers. He advocated for providing farmers with incentives to address the issue. Gandhi also pointed out the need for lifestyle changes and better air quality monitoring in cities. Jha mentioned that air-quality monitors in India often fail to work properly or show outdated readings, contributing to the problem.
The pollution crisis, according to Gandhi, is a year-long issue, but the public typically only recognizes it during the winter months. He called for immediate action to mitigate the damage caused by air pollution, which is affecting the health and well-being of millions across the country.
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