Scientists for Society (SFS), one of the groups associated with Sunday’s anti-pollution gathering in Delhi, is facing widespread criticism online after the demonstration took an unexpected turn and diverted from its original purpose. The protest, organised under the banner “Delhi Against Clean Air,” was intended to highlight the city’s deteriorating air quality. However, the situation escalated when a section of participants raised unrelated political slogans and confronted police personnel, leading to confusion and public backlash.
In a statement issued on Monday, SFS clarified that its involvement was strictly focused on raising awareness about Delhi’s pollution crisis. The organisation said it was not informed in advance about plans by two other groups, Himkand and bsCEM, to introduce separate political issues during the demonstration. SFS added that as soon as they noticed the shift in messaging, they tried to intervene and eventually separated their volunteers from the groups creating disruption.
The organisation emphasised that many students and citizens had joined the event solely to address the pollution issue, and introducing unrelated slogans diverted attention from a matter that affects everyone in the capital. SFS also expressed concern that such actions could weaken genuine efforts to build public pressure for clean air reforms.
Despite the clarification, social media users reacted sharply, accusing the group of failing to maintain discipline at the protest and allowing the original cause to be overshadowed. Several users said the incident damaged the credibility of a movement that was meant to unite people around a critical environmental concern.
According to officials, the protestors had gathered near India Gate without prior permission and remained there for nearly an hour. Police said the situation escalated when some individuals resisted being moved from the spot and engaged in aggressive behaviour, resulting in minor injuries to a few personnel. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and statements to determine how the disruptions unfolded.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the importance of maintaining focus and coordination in issue-based public movements, especially when the cause involves the health and well-being of millions of residents in Delhi.
