Opposition Members of Parliament on Wednesday made a dramatic entry into Parliament wearing gas masks to protest the crippling air pollution crisis engulfing the national capital and surrounding regions during the ongoing Winter Session. Led by senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Singh Hooda, the lawmakers used the symbolic gesture to demand an immediate discussion on the issue under Rule 267, which allows suspension of listed business. Hooda accused the central government of deflecting responsibility by blaming neighbouring states and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally spearhead a coordinated response.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Hooda declared that breathing in Delhi has become impossible without protective masks, describing the pollution as “deadly”. He called for the formation of a high-level group comprising the chief ministers of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, backed by dedicated budgetary allocations and a time-bound action plan to tackle the crisis in the entire National Capital Region (NCR). “The Centre must stop blaming others and take urgent action. Millions of citizens are suffering,” he said, confirming that he had submitted a suspension-of-business notice to force a debate on the floor of the House.

As Parliament convened, Delhi continued to choke under hazardous air quality levels. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s average Air Quality Index stood at 376 (“Very Poor”) at 7 a.m., while several areas, including Akshardham (AQI 405), crossed into the “Severe” category. Iconic landmarks such as India Gate and Kartavya Path remained shrouded in thick toxic smog, with visibility sharply reduced. Health experts have warned that prolonged exposure to such high pollution levels significantly raises the risk of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular complications, and other serious conditions among residents.

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The protest comes amid mounting public anger over the recurring winter smog crisis, which is attributed to a combination of stubble burning in neighbouring states, vehicular emissions, construction dust, and unfavourable meteorological conditions. Despite multiple interventions over the years—including the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)—air quality continues to deteriorate annually, turning Delhi into one of the world’s most polluted capitals. Opposition parties have accused the government of failing to enforce existing measures effectively while demanding greater accountability and cross-state collaboration to deliver lasting solutions.

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