Rights That Demand a Mandate

India’s enduring struggle with air pollution, epitomized by Delhi’s toxic smog, is a glaring indictment of policy inertia and political neglect. Year after year, as millions of citizens choke on hazardous air, the debate descends into a blame game between state and central authorities. Yet, the larger question remains unanswered: why is clean air — an essential determinant of public health and productivity — not a cornerstone election issue?

The problem is multifaceted. Delhi’s air pollution is fuelled by vehicle emissions, industrial toxins, farm fires, waste burning, and geographical factors. Studies by premier institutions like IIT Delhi, TERI, and the Centre for Science and Environment have meticulously mapped these sources. The solutions, too, are well-documented: promoting public transport, stricter industrial emission controls, and a transition to green fuels. Despite this wealth of knowledge, governments continue to operate in crisis mode, resorting to short-term emergency measures while neglecting sustained, coordinated action.

This policy paralysis stems not from ignorance but from a failure to prioritize public welfare. The Centre’s 2021 initiative to establish the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was a step in the right direction, advocating for an airshed approach that considers pollution across regions rather than isolated urban centers. However, the CAQM’s impact has been muted, its directives overshadowed by political apathy and lack of enforcement.

India’s air quality crisis is not confined to Delhi. Cities across the country suffer from similar neglect, as pollution-related deaths and diseases rise alarmingly. According to the WHO, air pollution causes over a million premature deaths annually in India. Meanwhile, water contamination—another pervasive issue—threatens the health of millions, especially in rural areas. Yet, neither of these existential threats galvanizes the political will to act.

Why aren’t clean air and water treated as fundamental rights deserving of electoral focus? Politicians avoid these issues because they demand structural reforms and long-term commitments — unappealing in the face of short-term populism. However, this neglect comes at a high cost, not just in human lives but also in economic terms, as healthcare costs and lost productivity soar.

The solution lies in citizens demanding accountability. Clean air and water must become non-negotiable political agendas, akin to economic growth or national security. Manifestos should outline clear, measurable goals: reducing particulate matter by specified percentages, expanding public transport infrastructure, and ensuring safe drinking water for all. Civil society must amplify these demands, pushing the narrative that environmental health is central to human development.

Elections shape the nation’s priorities. If clean air and water are fundamental to life, they must also become fundamental to our democracy. Without this shift, India’s policy machinery will continue to falter, leaving its citizens to suffocate under the weight of neglect.