Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has delivered a blunt assessment of Delhi’s worsening air pollution, saying that even a short stay in the national capital affects his health. Speaking at the launch of veteran journalist Uday Mahurkar’s book My Idea of Nation First: Redefining Unalloyed Nationalism, Gadkari remarked that staying in Delhi for barely two days leads to an infection, underscoring the severity of the city’s toxic air.
The Transport Minister admitted that his own department bears a major share of responsibility for pollution, stating that nearly 40 per cent of air pollution is linked to transport and the use of fossil fuels. He pointed out that India spends around ₹22 lakh crore annually on importing fossil fuels, a practice that not only strains the economy but also worsens environmental damage. Questioning this approach, Gadkari asked whether true nationalism could ignore such economic and ecological costs. He stressed that increasing exports, reducing imports, and embracing alternative fuels and biofuels should be seen as modern expressions of nationalism and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Gadkari also addressed social and political issues, cautioning against stereotyping entire communities. He said it was wrong to label every Muslim as a terrorist, calling for a more nuanced understanding and greater emphasis on education. Referring to former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam as an icon, he said more such role models are needed to inspire unity and progress.
On communal tensions, Gadkari blamed vote bank politics for deepening Hindu-Muslim divides, arguing that true secularism means justice for all. He reiterated that India’s secular character flows from its civilisational values and cultural traditions, not from any single political party.
His remarks come amid sustained criticism of governments in Delhi and at the Centre over the failure to curb air pollution, with air quality remaining in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ categories for weeks.
