Dozens Detained at India Gate as Citizens Protest Delhi’s Toxic Air and Stray Dog Ruling

Dozens of protesters, including parents, environmental activists, animal rights groups, and political leaders, were detained on Sunday evening after staging demonstrations at India Gate against the worsening air quality in the national capital and the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on stray dogs.

The protest, which began around 5 p.m., drew citizens from across Delhi — from college students to professionals — holding placards demanding “clean air for children” and accusing the government of showing “no political will” to address the city’s pollution crisis.

The event unfolded amid heavy police deployment, with officers stating that the gathering lacked prior permission. “Approximately 60–80 people were detained from both protests,” said DCP (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla, adding that detentions were made only of those blocking Mansingh Road. Others gathered at India Gate were dispersed.

Mahla said one protest was led by AAP Delhi president Saurabh Bharadwaj, while police had earlier denied permission for any demonstration at India Gate due to security and traffic concerns, advising participants to move to Jantar Mantar instead.

Environmental activist Vimlendu Jha alleged on X (formerly Twitter) that police had detained children, posting a video of a scuffle. Police, however, denied the claim, insisting that no minors were held.

Protesters voiced anger over what they described as the government’s failure to tackle Delhi’s air emergency. “I haven’t sent my daughter to the park in a month. How long can we keep our children indoors?” asked Akansha Kulkarni, a mother of a four-year-old.

Another protester said the government was “hiding behind stubble-burning excuses” instead of taking coordinated action. “If they truly cared, the governments of nearby states would have met to plan a joint strategy,” the protester said.

Animal rights groups also joined the gathering to oppose the Supreme Court’s order permitting removal of stray dogs from certain public places. “The authorities have no plan for the dogs’ safety,” said Harshita, an activist. “You can’t just displace them without infrastructure to protect them.”

The protest reignited political sparring over Delhi’s pollution management. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa blamed the previous AAP government for systemic failures, saying citizens had the right to express concern.

AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj, who was among those detained, accused central agencies of manipulating air quality data. “When institutions like DPCC, CPCB, CAQM, and IMD tamper with data, it erodes public trust,” he said.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the detentions, calling the right to clean air a “basic human right.” “Why are peaceful citizens being treated like criminals?” he asked on X, urging the government to take “decisive action instead of attacking citizens asking for clean air.”

NCP (SP) spokesperson Anish Gawande said he was stopped from joining the protest at Ashoka Road. “Most people there were working-class citizens who took time out on a Sunday to demand action. Instead of addressing the crisis, the government is restricting people’s right to protest,” he said.

By nightfall, several protesters had been taken to undisclosed locations as Delhi Police moved to clear the area — but the message from citizens remained clear: Delhi’s air has reached a breaking point, and people are demanding accountability.