Battle of a Mother in Delhi over Clean Air Crusade

Mothers Lead the Charge for Clean Air and Environmental Justice in India

In India, a grassroots movement is gaining momentum, driven by the passionate activism of Bhavreen Kandhari and her network, Warrior Moms. This citizen-led initiative aims to empower communities to hold polluters accountable and demand clean air and climate action for their children.

At the heart of this movement is Bhavreen Kandhari, a mother who has dedicated her life to fighting for environmental justice. Her journey began long before the 2016 protests, shaped by her experiences with her premature twin daughters, who were born with underdeveloped lungs and grew up breathing toxic air in Delhi.

Kandhari co-founded Warrior Moms, a network of mothers across India, and the organization has continued to grow, connecting urban and rural activists across the country. Known as "Mums for Clean Air," the group has become a powerful voice, demanding action from the government and polluters alike.

In November, each year when pollution spikes and Delhi's air turns lethal, Kandhari is often called upon for media interviews. She has mobilized 300 people to protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi's historic site of public demonstrations, receiving widespread coverage.

Kandhari has taken the fight to court, with ongoing battles against a proposed waste-to-energy plant in Bawana, north-west Delhi, and uncovering evidence that over 60,000 trees had been illegally felled in Delhi between 2015 and 2021.

Despite the pushback, Kandhari plans to continue her activism "as long as it takes." She argues that fines are not a deterrent for environmental violations and that they need to have real consequences.

Delhi grapples with a host of environmental crises beyond its notorious pollution, including failing waste management, rampant tree felling, and the ever-polluted Yamuna River. Across India, 49% of sanctioned posts in pollution control boards remain vacant, making enforcement nearly impossible.

Kandhari has taken the battle for clean air beyond India, speaking at United Nations climate summits on behalf of parent-led climate groups. At COP27 in Egypt, she stood alongside other mothers from the networks Our Kids' Climate and Parents For Future Global, demanding urgent action.

The fight for clean air and environmental justice is exhausting for Kandhari, who has lost friends because of her activism. Yet, she remains undeterred, determined to create a safer and healthier future for her children and all of India's children.