Tensions escalated at India Gate on Sunday when protestors allegedly threw chilli powder and pepper spray at police personnel attempting to disperse them. The incident occurred near the C-Hexagon area, where police claimed that the gathering obstructed ambulances and medical teams navigating the route.
Police allege use of chilli spray on officers
Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Devesh Kumar Mahla told PTI that some protestors used pepper spray on officers deployed for crowd and traffic management. “A few of our officers were sprayed in the eyes and face and are receiving treatment at RML Hospital. Legal action is being taken,” he said.
Another official said that police had anticipated possible escalation and had requested the protestors to step back. “They refused, broke the barricade, entered the road, and sat there. While our teams tried to remove them, some protestors attacked police personnel using chilli spray. Three to four officers were injured,” the official added.
Protestors deny wrongdoing, accuse govt of ‘suppression’
The protesting group claimed that their demonstration aimed to highlight the negative impacts of India’s developmental model, including mining projects, forest clearance, and infrastructure expansion in ecologically fragile zones. They alleged that these activities were contributing to worsening air pollution, displacement of vulnerable communities, and recurring extreme weather events.
According to them, whenever citizens raise environmental or livelihood concerns, the government “responds with suppression,” citing detentions, restrictions, and attempts to silence dissent.
Delhi’s air crisis continues to deepen
The confrontation occurred against the backdrop of deteriorating air quality in Delhi. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has remained in the severe range, prompting several health experts to advise residents—especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses—to temporarily leave the city if possible.
Medical professionals have warned of rising cases of breathing difficulty, eye irritation, fatigue, and worsening asthma symptoms due to prolonged exposure to toxic air.
Clean Air Committee criticises govt’s “cosmetic measures”
The Delhi Coordination Committee for Clean Air said Delhi’s pollution levels pose a “serious risk” to public health. They accused authorities of failing to tackle the root causes, such as emissions from vehicles and industry, crop residue burning, and construction dust.
The committee criticised the government’s reliance on what it called short-term “cosmetic measures” like water sprinkling, cloud seeding trials, and spraying around AQI stations.
“When the state makes the air itself poisonous, it becomes necessary for people to unite and raise their voices for their own survival,” the group said.
Conclusion
As Delhi grapples with yet another season of hazardous air pollution, Sunday’s clashes have added to growing tensions between civil groups demanding long-term environmental action and authorities tasked with managing public order. The police investigation into the alleged chilli spray attack is underway, even as activists continue to push for systemic reforms to address the capital’s air quality crisis.