Music, poetry, satire: Residents, students protest Delhi’s air crisis

Locals and students organised a protest at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday over Delhi and National Capital Region’s (NCR) worsening air quality and sought remedial actions. The cultural demonstration featured music, rap, satire, poetry and street art, asserting what the participants called was their “Right to Breathe.”

The protest was organised under the banners of the Citizens’ Group of Delhi and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).

Renowned musician and former bassist of Indian Ocean band Rahul Ram performed at the protest as well.

“We are not asking for luxuries, we are asking for air. Breathing should not feel like a privilege,” said one of the protesters.

Another attendee, a parent who had joined the demonstration with her children, said, “We don’t want our kids growing up with inhalers as normal. If the government won’t act, citizens have to.”

Air quality in Delhi remains in the “severe” category, with AQI levels crossing 500 in several areas and PM2.5 levels reaching 50–100 times above the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) safe limit. The organisers highlighted rising respiratory illnesses among children and the elderly and termed the situation a “public health emergency”.

Addressing the gathering, NSUI National President Varun Choudhary said, “This is about our lives and our future. Music and art have the power to awaken society. When citizens and artists stand shoulder-to-shoulder, it shows how deep the crisis is. Millions are literally breathing poison.”

The demonstrators put forward three demands: Immediate joint emergency response plan by Union and State governments, a science-backed long-term clean air strategy addressing all sources of pollution and the recognition of the Right to Breathe as a fundamental right. The participants said they will gather at Jantar Mantar every Sunday, and use art and culture to maintain pressure on authorities until concrete and measurable action is seen.

As the protest did not have police permission, the officials issued multiple warnings for the crowd to disperse and the demonstrators vacated the site peacefully.