Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Nov 28: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he termed as “silence” over the worsening air pollution crisis gripping the national capital, calling for an immediate and detailed discussion in Parliament on what he described as a “health emergency”.

Gandhi, who met a group of mothers worried about their children’s deteriorating health, shared a video of the interaction, saying families across Delhi were “exhausted, scared and angry” as their children continued to breathe “toxic air”.

“Modi ji, India’s children are choking in front of us. How can you stay silent? Why does your government show no urgency, no plan, no accountability?” he questioned in a post on X, urging the Centre to wake up to the crisis.

The Congress MP demanded a strict and enforceable national action plan to tackle air pollution at the source. Meanwhile, doctors have raised alarm over the long-term impact of hazardous air, warning that sustained exposure is causing airway inflammation, declining lung function, and aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiac ailments. They stressed routine screening, especially for children, smokers, asthma patients and other vulnerable groups.

“Our children deserve clean air, not excuses and distractions,” Gandhi said, calling for urgent government intervention as Delhi continues to reel under hazardous pollution levels.