Air pollution in North India a 'national emergency', MPs must discuss ways to end crisis: Rahul
New Delhi (PTI): Asserting that air pollution in North India is a "national emergency", Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday urged fellow MPs to come together in the upcoming Parliament session and discuss how the nation can end this crisis once and for all.
He said the air pollution crisis needs a collective national response, not political blame games.
Gandhi shared a video on X in which he is discussing the air pollution issue with environmentalist Vimlendu Jha at the India Gate here.
In his post along with the video, the Congress leader said air pollution in North India is a national emergency -- a public health crisis that is stealing our children’s future and suffocating the elderly, and an environmental and economic disaster that is ruining countless lives.
"The poorest among us suffer the most, unable to escape the toxic air that surrounds them. Families are gasping for clean air, children are falling sick and millions of lives are being cut short. Tourism is declining and our global reputation is crumbling," the former Congress chief said.
"The cloud of pollution covers hundreds of kilometres. Cleaning it up will need major changes and decisive action -- from governments, companies, experts and citizens. We need a collective national response, not political blame games," he added.
As Parliament meets in a few days, the MPs will all be reminded of the crisis by our irritated eyes and sore throats, he said.
"It is our responsibility to come together and discuss how India can end this crisis once and for all," Gandhi said.
In the video, the Congress leader asks the reasons for the air pollution crisis from Jha who responds by saying that it is a pan India problem and in NCR there are two sources -- episodic sources and perennial sources.
Jha highlights that stubble burning is an issue but only for three weeks and there is a need to provide the farmers with incentives.
The environmentalist, in conversation with Gandhi, calls for bringing about lifestyle changes to deal with the air pollution crisis.
The Winter Session of Parliament begins on November 25 and will continue till December 20.
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Cong will win by-polls in Karnataka, form govt with allies in Maharashtra: DK Shivakumar
Bengaluru, Nov 22: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday expressed confidence about Congress winning all the three assembly constituencies in the state where by-polls are held. He also voiced confidence about congress along with its alliance partners coming to power in Maharashtra, without engaging in 'resort politics'.
Results for by-polls to the state's Sandur, Shiggaon and Channapatna Assembly constituencies that were held on November 13, and Maharashtra Assembly polls on November 20, will be declared on Saturday.
"The exit polls will fail, we will win all the three seats. In Channapatna, I said I'm the candidate irrespective of whoever contests from the party, I'm the candidate and I'm the face. If we lose, it is my loss..." Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress chief, said in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, he has campaigned in more than 8-10 consistencies in Maharashtra for Assembly polls there, and is confident of the party winning the polls.
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"....without any 'resort politics', we will be able to form the government there (Maharashtra), this is my hope and confidence," he said in response to a question on 'resort politics'.
Asked, in case of hung assembly in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, is there a possibility of Congress MLAs being shifted to Karnataka under his supervision, Shivakumar said, "some national media are reporting this, as far as I'm concerned no leader of AICC has approached or spoken to me. I'm not involved in this. If they call me it is a different issue, but we don't have any such plans."
Shivakumar urged the centre to immediately take action and arrest billionaire Gautam Adani, following the US filing civil and criminal charges against him and seven others over a multi-million-dollar bribery scheme.
"I would like to request the Prime Minister, the image of the government is important, the image of the country is important, and his (Modi) image is also important....we appeal to the PM to book a criminal case against him (Adani) and arrest him...shareholders interest should also be protected," he added.
Responding to a question on whether the state government will initiate any action against Adani group in the state where it has businesses, the Deputy CM said, "The central government should start criminal proceedings, after that if they write to us we will do whatever has to be....there should be a plan of action from the central government, since it is international crime."
Asked if the state government will not have any contract with the company ahead, Shivakumar said, "I won't say that. I can't tell that. If there are clean projects without any corruption.....I won't discuss it now, let's see..."
Replying to a question whether any disciplinary action will be taken against Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan for referring to Union Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy as "Kaalia" (dark-skinned), which the NDA had slammed as a "racist" slur, the DCM said, the matter will be discussed internally in the party.
"I have spoken to him (Khan) personally, he is an important worker and leader. Emotionally he has spoken, I have told him it is not right. CM has also spoken to him. Internally we will discuss, I don't want to discuss in the media. We also make mistakes. We have to set right the people, we will see," he said.
Several Congress party office-bearers have been pushing the party to crack the whip against Khan, a lawmaker from Chamarajpet, accusing him of causing damage and embarrassment to the party. They also feel that his remarks had an adverse impact on the party's prospects in the Channapatna Assembly segment.
