Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Sunday demanded a detailed discussion in Parliament on air pollution, warning that the growing financial and healthcare burden on citizens is “extremely dangerous” and must be addressed urgently.

In a video message, in which he read out messages from people affected by air pollution, Gandhi said the government should allow a discussion on the issue and the Prime Minister should declare air pollution a national health emergency. He stressed that the impact of pollution on public health and household finances requires a collective and serious response.

Gandhi also said governments across the country, including chief ministers, the Prime Minister and the Union government, must ensure adequate budgetary allocation to tackle air pollution effectively.

The Congress and its leadership have been consistently raising the issue of air pollution and had demanded a discussion during the recent Winter Session of Parliament. However, as the session concluded, Congress MP and party communication in-charge Jairam Ramesh accused the government of avoiding a debate on the matter.

Ramesh said the Congress was fully prepared for a discussion on air pollution, but the government was “running away” from it. He criticised the government’s reply in Parliament, claiming it stated there was no link between pollution and lung-related problems.

He further said that Gandhi had repeatedly called for a detailed debate on the worsening air quality across the country, especially in North India, where pollution levels have remained severe for several weeks.