Fans Boo Delhi CM Rekha Dupta With 'AQI-AQI' Chant During Messi Event; AAP Takes A Dig

Fans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium turned their anger over Delhi's toxic haze into a protest on 15 December, booing Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and shouting 'AQI, AQI' as Gupta came on stage to greet Lionel Messi. The chants briefly drowned out the formal welcome for the Argentine star.

The incident unfolded while Delhi's air remained in the 'severe' bracket for a third straight day. The Air Quality Index hit 498 at one point, before easing slightly to 427 by evening, as a heavy grey smog masked the skyline and cut visibility across many neighbourhoods.

Delhi air quality AQI protests and political blame game

A video of the crowd's reaction quickly circulated on social media, shared by AAP's Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj. Posting on X, Bharadwaj wrote, "International Shame, crowd for Messi shouts 'AQI, AQI' as soon as Delhi CM Rekha Gupta arrives," and attached the clip from the stadium event.

Bharadwaj uploaded another clip that appeared to show spectators at the ground shouting, 'Rekha Gupta haaye haaye', while Gupta stood on the field. The vocal protest highlighted how public frustration with Delhi air quality had spilled into a high-profile sporting occasion that was expected to focus only on football.

Before the match, AAP leaders had repeatedly alleged that the BJP governments at the Centre and in Delhi ignored rising pollution levels. The party said poisonous air had pushed Delhi-NCR and parts of North India into an emergency situation, and claimed long-standing warnings had not led to strong action.

Gupta rejected those attacks, saying her administration was working on different measures to reduce pollution. Gupta argued that earlier AAP and Congress governments failed to act with urgency on Delhi air quality, leaving the current dispensation to deal with a problem that had built up over many years.

Delhi air quality AQI data, health worries and official defence

Addressing criticism over street protests, Gupta earlier stated, "I want to ask those protesting at India Gate: The problem of air pollution is not new and has been around for years. Where were your protests before? What did the previous government do?" The comments were aimed at long-time activists and opposition leaders.

Gupta also said, "There is a backlog of 27 years. The government needs at least 27 months to fix things. After 27 months, you can ask me about the steps we took to address air pollution," framing Delhi air quality as a legacy crisis that required time-bound planning and implementation.

On the same day, Central Pollution Control Board data showed the extent of the problem. According to the CPCB, 27 monitoring stations in Delhi logged 'severe' pollution. Wazirpur recorded the worst AQI reading at 475. The board's scale goes up to 500, a level often associated with serious health risks.

The thick smog affected daily routines, with residents reporting stinging eyes and breathing discomfort. Commuters said driving had become risky because of low visibility. One city resident said people were choosing masks and limiting time outdoors, as Delhi air quality AQI readings stayed at dangerous levels through much of the day.

Inside the Arun Jaitley Stadium, however, thousands still turned up for Messi's GOAT India Tour finale. Supporters cheered, waved flags and held up phone cameras, hoping for one clear glimpse of Messi, whose football skills continue to draw huge followings across India despite the Delhi air quality AQI concerns.