Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for what he called “silence” on the escalating air pollution crisis in Delhi, urging an immediate and detailed discussion in Parliament on what he described as a “health emergency.”

Gandhi, who met a group of mothers concerned about their children’s health, shared a video of the interaction and said families across the capital were “exhausted, scared and angry” as their children grew up breathing “toxic air.”

“Modi ji, India’s children are choking in front of us. How can you stay silent? Why does your government show no urgency, no plan, no accountability?” he asked in a post on X.

He also demanded a strict and enforceable national action plan to combat air pollution.

Delhi has been grappling with “very poor” to “severe” air quality for over two weeks.

Doctors have warned that prolonged exposure is causing airway inflammation, reduced lung function and worsening of pre-existing respiratory and cardiac conditions. They stressed the need for routine screening, especially for children, smokers, asthma patients and vulnerable groups.

“Our children deserve clean air , not excuses and distractions,” Gandhi said, calling for urgent government intervention as the capital continues to battle hazardous pollution levels.

(With inputs from PTI)