Rahul Gandhi said Indian cities were trapped under “poisonous air,” urging all parties to unite for long-term, actionable solutions backed by budgets and accountability.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, December 12, 2025 — In a rare display of cross-party consensus in the Lok Sabha on Friday, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi issued an impassioned call for an immediate, full-scale debate on India’s spiralling air-pollution crisis, describing it as a “public health emergency” that is silently crippling millions.
Speaking during Zero Hour, Gandhi warned that major Indian cities are now “living under a blanket of poisonous air,” with catastrophic consequences for vulnerable populations — especially children and the elderly.
“Millions of children’s lungs are being damaged permanently. They are developing diseases that will stay with them for life. Their future is literally being destroyed in front of our eyes. People are getting cancer at younger ages. The elderly cannot breathe,” he said, urging MPs to rise above political divides. “This is not a political issue. This is a national emergency.”
Gandhi appealed for dedicated parliamentary time — beyond routine short-duration discussions — to craft concrete solutions, backed by clear policy commitments, budgetary allocations, and accountability mechanisms. “Every MP, irrespective of party, has constituents who are choking. Let us sit together and commit to real solutions,” he said.
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Government Responds Positively
Responding swiftly, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Narendra Modi government was fully prepared to facilitate a structured debate on air pollution.
“The important issue raised by the Leader of the Opposition was already discussed in today’s meeting of the Business Advisory Committee,” Rijiju told the House. “From Day One of this session, the government has said it is ready to discuss every critical matter by taking the Opposition along.”
He added that the government would work with the BAC and revert soon with proposed modalities for the debate. Senior officials later indicated that a full-day or multi-hour discussion under Rule 193 — or possibly a Calling Attention motion — could be scheduled next week.
BJP — Holds useless debates on Vande Mataram, ignores real issues
Rahul Gandhi — Raises the issue of Air Pollution & urges the Govt & Opposition to work together 🫡
Leader. Statesman. Jan Nayak. 🗿pic.twitter.com/hwV5F4SLTl
— Ankit Mayank (@mr_mayank) December 12, 2025
Why the Debate Is Urgent
Rahul Gandhi’s intervention comes amid another devastating winter smog wave:
- Delhi-NCR’s AQI has remained in the “Severe” to “Severe+” range through November and December.
- On Thursday night, several monitoring stations recorded AQI levels above 470 — among the worst globally.
- Hospitals across northern India are reporting a 25–40% surge in respiratory emergencies, paediatric asthma cases, and pollution-linked cardiac events.
- Independent studies estimate air pollution kills 1.6–2 million Indians annually and cuts life expectancy by 5–10 years in the most affected states.
Despite repeated Supreme Court orders, NGT directives, and multi-state action plans, implementation of key measures — from controlling stubble burning to enforcing construction and industrial norms — remains inconsistent.
VIDEO | Delhi: Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) says, “I raised pollution issues in the House. This is an issue all parties can agree on, as children are affected and people face diseases like cancer. I suggested there should be a… pic.twitter.com/t4RwPvOA4E
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 12, 2025
A Rare Opening for Bipartisan Action?
Friday’s exchange marked one of the few moments of bipartisan alignment in an otherwise polarised Winter Session.
A senior BJP MP acknowledged the gravity of the situation, saying, “No one can defend the air we are breathing. Even ministers wear masks in Delhi. If the Opposition wants a solution-oriented debate, we are ready.”
Congress chief whip Manickam Tagore said the party would press for commitments on:
- Doubling the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) budget
- Legislating a legally enforceable right to clean air
- Fast-tracking nationwide BS-VI fuel and vehicle standards
- Criminal liability for repeated stubble- and dust-related violations
- Emergency winter action plans with graded penalties
As Delhi woke up to yet another hazardous morning on Saturday, millions of citizens hoped that the rare unity witnessed in Parliament would translate into urgent, decisive measures — before another winter smog season steals yet more young lungs and lives.
