From GST cut on air purifiers to Parliament debate: Politics heats up as pollution worsens in Delhi

New Delhi: As Delhi continues to reel under poor air quality, the Opposition turned the heat on the government with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi's silence on this "health emergency" and former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal demanding a GST cut on the air purifiers.

Delhi's overall air quality remained in the 'very poor' category on Friday morning, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 384. According to the forecast by the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the air quality is likely to remain 'very poor' over the coming week.

RaGa demands Parliament debate on Delhi's poor AQI

Gandhi on Friday demanded a detailed discussion in Parliament on the issue of air pollution in the national capital. He also called for a strict, enforceable action plan to tackle air pollution and asked why the Modi government was not showing any urgency or accountability on the issue.

Gandhi also met a few mothers at his residence on the issue and shared a video of his conversation with them. He said that children in Delhi deserve clean air, not "excuses and distractions".

"Every mother I meet tells me the same thing: her child is growing up breathing toxic air. They are exhausted, scared and angry.

"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 asked in a post on X.

Kejriwal demands GST cut on air purifiers

Former chief minister and AP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also targeted the Centre over the air pollution in Delhi and said that clean air and clean water are the fundamental rights of every citizen. Kejriwal demanded that 18 per cent of GST imposed on air purifiers be slashed.

"The air in North India, including Delhi, has become deadly, and instead of providing solutions, the government is collecting taxes from the public. People go to buy air purifiers to protect their families from pollution, and there they find out that the government is levying 18 per cent GST on it. This is sheer injustice," he said.

"I demand from the Central government that the GST imposed on air and water purifiers be immediately removed. If you cannot provide solutions, then at least stop burdening the public's pockets," he added.

Kiran Bedi calls for authority for air-quality management

IPS officer and former Puducherry Governor Kiran Bedi raised concern about Delhi's hazardous AQI, and said that air pollution crisis recurs annually because governments "lean on quick, temporary fixes like smog towers and odd–even rules instead of addressing root causes".

"Fragmented governance — with multiple agencies sharing responsibility but none holding full authority — prevents coordinated, long-term action. Major emission sources such as vehicles, industry, construction dust, and crop burning remain poorly regulated due to weak enforcement and limited resources," she said.

Bedi further stressed the need for systemic change, including a unified authority for air-quality management, stronger monitoring, long-term investments in clean energy and transport, and improved inter-state coordination.