Delhi Air Pollution: Supreme Court pulls up govt for reopening schools

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today pulled up Delhi government for reopening schools amid the rising air pollution levels in the city. “When the government implemented work from home for adults then why children are being forced to go to school”, SC asked Delhi government.

The top court also said, “We feel there is nothing happening, in spite of air pollution levels rising.”

A special bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana said the Aam Aadmi Party government had made various assurances such as work from home, lockdown, and closure of schools and colleges in the previous hearings. However, despite these assurances, the children were are going to school while elders are working from home.

''Poor young boys standing in the middle of the road with banners, who is taking care of their health? Again, we've to say, other than the popularity slogan, what else is it?'' the bench also comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant said.

On November 27, Delhi education minister Manish Sisodia announced that Delhi schools for all classes will reopen from November 29 as the air quality in the national capital was improving. The decision after the Delhi government closed the schools, colleges and other educational institutions on November 13 after the apex court termed the air pollution as an “emergency” situation.

Delhi schools reopened on November 1 after being shut for over a year due to Covid-19.

(With inputs from PTI)