Rahul Gandhi criticises PM Modi for “silence” on Delhi’s worsening air pollution. Calls for Parliament debate and strict, enforceable action plan as national capital battles toxic smog.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday raised sharp questions over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” as Delhi continues to battle hazardous air pollution for more than two weeks. Calling the situation a “health emergency,” he urged the government to recognise the severity of the crisis and address it with urgency.
‘Every Mother Says the Same Thing’
Rahul Gandhi said he met several mothers at his residence who were worried about the long-term health impact on their children. Sharing a video of the interaction, he wrote that almost every parent he speaks to expresses the same fear — children growing up in toxic air.
Every mother I meet tells me the same thing: her child is growing up breathing toxic air. They are exhausted, scared and angry.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 28, 2025
Modi ji, India’s children are choking in front of us. How can you stay silent? Why does your government show no urgency, no plan, no accountability?… pic.twitter.com/HR87tlHQ1f
According to him, parents are “exhausted, scared and angry,” yet the Centre has not taken responsibility. “Modi ji, India’s children are choking in front of us. How can you stay silent?” he asked in a post on X, demanding accountability from the government.
Calls for Immediate Parliament Debate
Gandhi also called for a detailed debate in Parliament on the issue and pressed for a strict, enforceable action plan to reduce pollution levels. He said the country cannot afford temporary fixes or seasonal responses, and that the government must adopt long-term, science-backed solutions.
Delhi’s Air Quality Remains Alarming
Delhi has been grappling with ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ air pollution for the past 15 days.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, these conditions are expected to persist over the coming week, raising concerns among health experts.
Hospitals across the city have reported a surge in pollution-related illnesses. Doctors warn that the toxic air is aggravating asthma, reducing lung function, and worsening cardiac and respiratory conditions—particularly among children, smokers, and elderly citizens.
Health specialists are advising regular diagnostic screenings to detect early signs of damage caused by long-term exposure to polluted air.
A Crisis Demanding Accountability
As the smog continues to blanket the capital, public pressure is mounting. With lakhs of children and vulnerable citizens breathing harmful air every day, the opposition insists that the government must show responsibility and urgency — not silence.