Lungs in 10th, 12th no different: In Supreme Court, an argument over classes
The Delhi government has already discontinued physical classes for all students, except for Class 10 and 12 students. The Supreme Court has now directed all states to take an immediate call to stop physical classes for Class 10 and 12 students as well.
by Ashutosh Acharya · India TodayIn Short
- Delhi has already suspended physical classes for all students, except for Classes 10 and 12
- Court was hearing plea seeking directions to curb air pollution in NCR region
- Delhi's air quality remained in severe plus category for second consecutive day
The Supreme Court said on Monday that all states should take an immediate call to stop all physical classes for students up to Class 12.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih was hearing a petition seeking directions to control air pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioner, sought directions from the court that physical classes should be suspended for students of Class 10 and 12 as well.
"The lungs of 10th and 12th students cannot be different than the other students... if a direction can be given to stop those physical classes as well," the advocate was quoted as saying by Bar and Bench.
The court then directed all states to take an immediate call to stop all physical classes for students of Class 10 and 12 as well.
The court strongly reprimanded the Delhi government and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for the delay in implementing the anti-pollution curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the national capital.
Notably, the Air Quality Index in Delhi surged to 486 on Monday, marking the worst level of the season and remaining in the severe plus category for the second consecutive day.
The CAQM has implemented stage 4 of the GRAP from Monday and the Delhi government has discontinued physical classes for all students, except for Class 10 and 12 students.
The bench directed the Delhi government to not ease he GRAP IV norms without the court's permission.
“Even if the AQI goes below 400, you will continue with Stage 4 measures. That’s the order we propose to pass,” the court said.