AQI Archives - DU Beat - Delhi University's Independent Student Newspaper

Protests by BSCEM and Himkhand student groups turned chaotic at the India Gate as police detained multiple students, reporting the use of pepper spray and Maoist slogans during the confrontation.

The protest at the India Gate against rising pollution turned chaotic as the Delhi police took several students into custody. Students said they were picked up forcefully.

BsCEM and Himkhand reported that members from their groups- Akshay from bsCEM and Aahan and Aakash from Himkhand- were among those held. They stated that Akshay was singled out by the police and assaulted, and also mentioned the misconduct towards a female protester who stepped forward in his defence.

Student groups stated,

We are not criminals, we are students protesting for our right to breathe when the state is poisoning us. By such actions, Delhi police only exposes its criminal nature.

They called on the general public to gather outside the Parliament Street police station and demand the release of their fellow protesters.

The Delhi Police have confirmed that two separate FIRs have been registered, one at Kartavya Path police station and the other at Parliament Street police station. The arrested individuals were produced before the two magistrates at the Patiala House Court.

Furthermore, five students accused of spraying pepper spray on Delhi police personnel and shouting slogans in support of the slain Maoist fighter Madvi Hidma have been sent to a safe house on a two-day custody until their age is verified. The matter was heard by Judicial Magistrate Aridaman Singh Cheema, who reviewed the charges under BNS provisions.

In a separate case, the Delhi Police have arrested 17 additional individuals. Judicial Magistrate Sahil Monga heard the case and has placed these individuals in three days’ judicial custody- PTI reported.

The Kartavya Path FIR now includes sections 74, 79, 115(2), 132, 197, 221 and 223 of the BSS, while the FIR lodged at the Parliament Street Police Station includes charges under BNS sections 223A, 132, 221, 121A and 126(2).

Featured Image Credits – PTI India

Rahul Kumar

[email protected]

Keep Reading

As the capital is once again swept under smog this year, students are compelled to worry about their health, class attendance, constant coughing and semester-end exams simultaneously.

Every year, as the AQI in Delhi reaches new heights, students studying in the city must attempt to normalise hazardous environmental conditions.

In conversation with DU Beat, Jigisha Sharma, a second-year student from Miranda House, said, “For a university that has a whole course about Fit India, they aren’t very keen on keeping their students fit and away from the pollution of Delhi. Instead of taking any action to tackle the situation, the government is blatantly trying to hide it from the masses, further worsening the situation for both the city and her residents.”

Himanshi Singh, another Miranda House student, said, “Having lived my entire life in another city, I was aware that Delhi had pollution problems, but actually experiencing it is something else entirely. The air feels heavy and almost unbreathable, and stepping outside for even a few minutes leaves you coughing or with a sore throat. It’s scary how normal this has become for everyone here. What really bothers me is how we’re all expected to just carry on with our routines, like attending classes and travelling long distances, as if this level of air toxicity is something we can simply adjust to.

Colleges and the university administration seem indifferent, which feels unfair to students who are genuinely struggling with the health impact of this air. Especially for those of us who’ve just moved to Delhi, it’s physically and mentally draining to adapt to this environment. Because right now, it feels like we’re being forced to breathe poison and pretend it’s fine. Every year, the AQI spikes, people complain, and then everyone moves on until it happens again.”

Last year, the University had declared a transition to online classes when the AQI had reached alarmingly high levels. However, despite GRAP Stage 3 being implemented this year and the AQI reportedly touching 764 in Delhi-NCR, which can be officially categorised as “hazardous”, there has been no official notification from the administration regarding any relief to be provided to the students in the form of breaks, transition to the online mode, or leniency in the attendance policy.

Image credits: Ayushmaan for DU Beat

Manya Marwah

[email protected]

Keep Reading