What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Hindu Voice Team: On 23 November 2025, a large protest against air pollution took place at India Gate in Delhi. The demonstration, ostensibly organised to highlight environmental concerns, has been characterised by authorities and analysts as a cover for political radicalism, with the involvement of the group The Himkhand.
Protest Event and Disruptions
During the protest, participants reportedly raised slogans praising slain Maoist commander Madvi Hidma, for example, chanting “Comrade Hidma Amar Rahe”. The demonstration escalated when activist-groups allegedly deployed chilli spray against police, and attempted to blockade the India Gate area.
The Himkhand: Origins and Agenda
The Himkhand began in May 2024 as a purported environmental activism outfit focusing on climate change and Himalayan ecology. However, according to the report, the organisation quickly shifted to broader anti-establishment posturing, incorporating regional movements (e.g., in Ladakh) and explicitly supporting radical left-wing ideology.
One Instagram account associated with The Himkhand showed posts justifying violent resistance as a valid response to “ruling class” oppression.
Affiliated Groups and Collaboration
This protest reportedly involved collaboration between The Himkhand and another group, Bhagat Singh Chhatra Ekta Manch (BSCEM). Together, they are accused of using environmental slogans as a façade to glorify Maoist tactics and spread urban-Naxal ideology.
For example, a key activist identified as “Kranti” was shown alongside BSCEM member Ravjot Kaur, chanting pro-Hidma slogans.
Tactics: Environmentalism as a Cover for Radicalism
The analysis suggests that environmental protests are being used strategically to attract wider participation while masking the ultimate aims of radical groups. The Himkhand is reported to have undermined development projects such as the Char Dham Railway project under the guise of ecological concern.
By co-opting climate and pollution activism, such groups aim to avoid suspicion while promoting extremist narratives. The Himkhand’s invitation to veteran activist Prashant Bhushan for an event on air pollution is cited as further indication of its network and agenda.
Implications for Policy and Security
The intersection of environmental activism and radical political ideology presents a complex challenge for authorities. On one hand, legitimate pollution concerns demand action. On the other, the infiltration of such protests by extremist-aligned groups risks destabilising public order and diluting genuine grassroots movements.
If the allegations are accurate, there is a need for clearer demarcation between civil-society environmental initiatives and groups with covert radical goals. Intelligence-led monitoring of protest funding, social-media operations, and organisational linkages may become imperative.
Conclusion
While the pollution crisis in Delhi and neighbouring areas remains real and pressing, the events surrounding the India Gate protest highlight an additional dimension: the potential hijack of environmental activism by ideologically driven groups such as The Himkhand. The challenge ahead will be to enable genuine civic engagement on ecological issues, while preventing the misuse of these platforms for.
(The above piece is written based on the article published by OpIndia. You can read the original piece HERE )
