Introduction

On Sunday evening, a demonstration over the high levels of air pollution in Delhi at India Gate was brought to a standstill by violence, as over 22 people were arrested when some demonstrators apparently used chilli gas against the police officers, shouted slogans into the air, and had posters in memory of a killed Maoist commander. The violent nature of the demonstrations was not seen before and some police officers were injured now they are under medical treatment at Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) hospital.  The Delhi Police has filed two separate First Information Reports (FIRs) and has started an investigation into the incident which also includes the pro-Maoist slogans.

What happened

The protest against air pollution at India Gate turned into a violent confrontation with police, the use of chilli/pepper spray on police, road blocks, and demonstration of posters and slogans in favour of the slain Maoist commander Madvi Hidma. 

Who was involved?

The demonstration saw the action of people such as members of the Delhi Coordination Committee of Clean Air and other student organisations who challenged the Delhi Police officers. More than twenty-two protesters were then detained, and only three or four policemen were injured. Political parties, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have come forward with statements with the former claiming that the unrest was due to a perceived urban Naxal activity. 

Where did it occur? 

The event took place in the C -Hexagon area near the India Gate in New Delhi, a major civic place of assembly where protesters are otherwise barred, with Jantar Mantar being the governmentally sanctioned site of civic protest. 

When did this happen? 

The protest and subsequent clashes occurred on Sunday evening, November 23, 2025.

Why did it happen?

Why were people protesting? 

The people of Delhi rallied to demand immediate and long-lasting action by the government regarding the city having an extreme and a very poor air quality, which they claim is a major health risk to the public and is a result of government inaction or the use of cosmetic actions. 

Why did the situation escalate? 

This situation became worse after the demonstrators refused to leave and got on to C-Hexagon Road, which blocked traffic, including emergency traffic like ambulance vehicles. 

Why did the protesters use chilli spray? 

Police attempted to physically remove the protesters from the road, at which point some demonstrators allegedly used chilli spray to resist removal and attack the personnel.

Why were pro-Maoist elements present? 

Police and political leaders alleged that some participants were “urban Naxals” or “professional protesters” who used the pollution issue as a “pretext” to promote Naxalite ideology and mourn the recent encounter killing of Madvi Hidma in Andhra Pradesh.

Why is this a significant incident? 

Delhi Police stated that this is the first time in recent memory that protesters have used chilli spray against police personnel during an agitation, marking an unusual and aggressive turn of events.

How did it unfold? 

On Sunday evening, a crowd of people gathered at the India Gate, protesting air pollution. They later on broke through barricades and took over the C-Hexagon road thus blocking traffic. When police officers tried to encourage the demonstrators to retire, and then tried to evict them with force, the demonstrators got into a fight with the staff and used chilli spray against them, injuring several officers. The incident caused the arrest of a large number of people and the pursuance of several legal cases under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections of obstructing official functions, illegal assemblage and use of force. The law enforcement is utilising the use of video footage to find the persons who had hoisted the controversial slogans.

Conclusion 

The event highlights how deeply people are feeling frustrated by the current air-quality crisis in Delhi which has steadily placed in the very poor-severe category, despite political fallout on the nature of the protest and the alleged Naxalite supporters. The Delhi Coordination Committee on Clean Air, another interested group, has criticised the government on its inability to implement long-term solutions, and the BJP has criticised the invocation of pro-Maoist slogans at a national monument. Criminal charges are currently being pursued because the force is being examined as well as the political implications of the protest.