Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 1: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday demanded a parliamentary debate on air pollution, urging the government to ensure sufficient funds in the Union Budget to address the crisis.

In a Facebook post and a self-made video, Gandhi read messages from citizens and called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare air pollution a national health emergency. He said, "It is about time the government allows a discussion in Parliament and the Prime Minister should declare pollution a national health emergency… We need to come together and develop a serious plan… We need to make sure there is enough money in the budget to tackle this problem."

Sharing the post, he wrote, "Over the last few days, I've read thousands of messages from Indians about what pollution is doing to their lives. What stood out was fear—for children, for parents, for tomorrow. Pollution is no longer just an environmental issue; it is a national health emergency. Parliament must discuss it. The government must act. And this Budget must put real resources behind real solutions. Indians are not asking for reports or rhetoric. They are asking for clean air."

The demand comes amid the ongoing Budget Session, where Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 today. The session will span 30 sittings over 65 days, concluding on April 2, with a recess from February 13 to March 9 to allow Standing Committees to examine the Demands for Grants of various ministries.

The national capital continued to struggle with air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 318 on Sunday morning, placing it in the 'very poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).