Delhi’s air quality crisis has reached a boiling point, with the city’s residents now resorting to drastic measures to demand change. But here’s where it gets controversial: as the toxic smog lingers, protesters have taken to the streets, and their methods are sparking debate. As of November 24, 2025, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remains alarmingly high at 397, classified as ‘very poor’—a persistent issue that has left the city gasping for breath for nearly three weeks straight. And this is the part most people miss: out of 39 monitoring stations, a staggering 20 recorded AQI levels above 400, pushing them into the ‘severe’ zone, while the remaining 19 hovered in the ‘very poor’ category. This isn’t just a number; it’s a health emergency, with doctors reporting a surge in respiratory, eye, and lung-related ailments among residents.
The crisis is fueled by a perfect storm of factors: low wind speeds, dropping temperatures, and the aftermath of Diwali farm fires. Areas like Vivek Vihar and Rohini recorded AQI levels as high as 458, making them virtually uninhabitable. The government has scrambled to implement Stage 4 measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) under Stage 3 conditions, but is it enough? Here’s the bold question: Are these measures too little, too late, or is the problem simply too complex to solve quickly?
Frustration boiled over on Sunday when protesters gathered at India Gate, demanding action. But the demonstration took a chaotic turn when some activists allegedly used chili spray on police officers attempting to clear the area. This raises a contentious point: While the protesters’ actions were extreme, do they reflect a growing desperation in the face of government inaction? The police claim they were trying to ensure emergency vehicles could pass, but the protesters argue their fight is for survival in a city where the air itself is poisonous. Deputy Commissioner Devesh Kumar Mahla called the use of chili spray ‘unusual and rare,’ but is it a sign of deeper societal frustration?
As Delhi chokes under its toxic haze, the question remains: How far will citizens go to demand cleaner air, and how will authorities respond? We want to hear from you: Is the use of such tactics justified, or do they undermine the cause? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s spark a conversation that could shape the future of Delhi’s fight for breathable air.