As Delhi’s air quality continues to decline, residents are voicing their concerns. During Argentine footballer Lionel Messi’s event at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was greeted with chants of “AQI, AQI.” A viral video showed part of the crowd repeatedly shouting “AQI.” This unusual welcome for CM Gupta comes amid rising pollution levels in the capital.
A viral video showed part of the crowd chanting “AQI, AQI” at CM Gupta, an unexpected reaction amid Delhi’s rising air pollution. The chants coincided with low visibility and a haze-covered skyline as the city remained in the ‘severe’ pollution zone for the third day. The video was widely shared on social media by opposition parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party and Congress, highlighting the worsening pollution situation in the capital.
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CM Rekha Gupta blames the opposition
AP’s Delhi unit head, Saurabh Bharadwaj, stated in a post on X, “International Shame, Crowd for Messi shouts ‘AQI, AQI’ as soon as Delhi CM Rekha Gupta arrives." AAP has accused the BJP-led Delhi government and the Centre of ignoring the worsening air quality. In response, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has blamed the previous AAP and Congress administrations for the rising pollution. She also appealed to Delhi residents, particularly those who protested at India Gate, urging them to recognize efforts to address the pollution crisis.
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Delhi shifts to hybrid learning as air quality worsens
On Monday, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 457 at 6 AM, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System. By 8:05 PM, the AQI had slightly improved to 410, as per the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app. Dense smog over Delhi and the National Capital Region reduced visibility and affected flight operations at Indira Gandhi International Airport.
In response, schools moved classes for students up to Class 5 online. The worsening pollution has also led the Singapore High Commission in India to issue an advisory for its nationals living in Delhi and surrounding areas.