‘Children choking’: Rahul wants Parl debate on toxic air

As a thick, unrelenting smog hangs over the Capital for the 15th straight day, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the Centre of looking away from a full-blown “health emergency” and demanded an immediate, detailed debate in Parliament on Delhi-NCR’s toxic air crisis.

The Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition said the government must bring a strict, enforceable action plan without delay and questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence as pollution levels remained lodged in the “very poor” range.

Rahul also met a group of women at his residence, who voiced fears about their children’s health, later sharing a video of the conversation.

“Every mother I meet tells me the same thing: her child is growing up breathing toxic air. They are exhausted, scared and angry. 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?” he wrote on X.

“India needs an immediate, detailed Parliament debate on air pollution and a strict, enforceable action plan to tackle this health emergency. Our children deserve clean air—not excuses and distractions,” he added.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal also targeted the government, saying BJP leaders were “enjoying hot air balloon rides to rise above the lethal air pollution that had gripped Delhi” while vulnerable citizens were left to choke.

“How many excuses will they give before taking steps to solve this crisis? India has never seen such a clueless and insensitive government that leaves its citizens to suffer because of its gross ineptitude,” Venugopal said on X.