NEW DELHI: The worsening air pollution in Delhi triggered protests by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) at Delhi University’s Arts Faculty on Thursday, while a separate group of environmentalists and activists sought a meeting with the Centre to press for urgent action to tackle the crisis, according to news agency PTI.During the protest, the SFI raised concerns over deteriorating air quality and alleged a lack of transparency in pollution monitoring. It pointed to reports of missing data during peak pollution hours and questioned the effectiveness of the monitoring system.In a statement, the student organisation said both the Delhi and Union governments had failed to address the recurring crisis. It argued that pollution was not merely a seasonal or weather-related problem, but was driven by unregulated urbanisation, construction activities, vehicular emissions and industrial pollution.The SFI also highlighted the unequal impact of poor air quality, saying outdoor workers, street vendors and people dependent on outdoor livelihoods were among the worst affected. Those who could afford air purifiers or move to less polluted areas, it said, were better placed to protect themselves.The organisation called for transparent pollution monitoring, strict enforcement of environmental regulations and a comprehensive public health response. It maintained that access to clean air should not depend on a person’s ability to pay for protection.In a separate development, a delegation of environmentalists, activists and citizens has written to the Union Environment Ministry, seeking a meeting to discuss the worsening pollution situation and possible long-term solutions.The delegation includes AISA president Neha Bora, environmentalist Bhavreen Khandari of Warrior Moms, Urvashi Prasad, founder of PAVANA and director at the Office of the Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, and former APAG member Captain (IN) Ashish Jacob.The group has sought a meeting with the Union environment minister in the presence of senior officials from the ministry, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.The proposed meeting aims to identify practical and sustainable ways to address the recurring pollution crisis and seek coordinated action from the concerned authorities.Describing clean air as a fundamental right, the activists said their initiative was aimed at bringing citizens’ concerns to the government’s attention and ensuring their voices were heard.
