Delhi air pollution protest: SFS distances itself from slogans backing Madvi Hidma; ABVP demands action

A day after chaos erupted during “Delhi Against Clean Air” protest held at India Gate, participating organisation Scientists for Society (SFS) has distanced itself from groups that allegedly raised slogans unrelated to the demonstration’s central theme of air pollution, while the Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) condemned the incident, calling the slogans “anti-national” and a threat to the country’s unity.

The SFS said it had joined the protest solely to address the issue of pollution, and accused two organisations — Himkhand and bsCEM — of shouting slogans related to the alleged extra-judicial killing of CPI (Maoist) leader Madvi Hidma. The scientists’ group said it condemns such encounters and supports the demand for a high-level inquiry, and reiterated that the pollution protest was not the appropriate platform to raise such an issue.

“As soon as we realised what was happening, we first tried to stop them; when they refused, we immediately distanced ourselves and continued the protest separately,” the group said, terming the act “undemocratic” and against the ethics and common minimum programme of the joint front.”

Pepper spray incident at Delhi protest

The Delhi police has arrested 15 people on charges of obstructing its personnel and assaulting them, besides blocking the road during the protest. On Sunday, the situation escalated as some demonstrators allegedly used pepper spray on police personnel while being removed from the scene, officials told PTI.

According to a senior police officer, the protesters had gathered close to the C-Hexagon and were told that their demonstration at that location was obstructing ambulances and medical personnel trying to pass through.

"The situation then turned into a scuffle, and some protesters used pepper spray on our personnel, which is unusual and rare," the officer said, adding that so far, 15 protesters have been arrested.

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ABVP reaction

The SFS condemned the detention of protesters and demanded the release of all activists. In a separate statement, the ABVP said the slogans raised during the protest “glorified” Naxalite leader Madvi Hidma. Calling the incident “extremely worrying for the country’s unity” and “an attempt to spread unrest”, the student group demanded strict legal action.

The protest continues amid Delhi’s worsening air quality, with the national capital recording its overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 382 in the very poor category for the 11th consecutive day. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 15 monitoring stations recorded AQI levels above 400, classified as ‘severe’.