Cannot change school sports calendar merely due to air pollution: Delhi government to Delhi High Court

The Delhi government on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that it cannot amend the annual sports calendar to prohibit outdoor sporting events in the schools of national capital during the winter months when pollution levels are high [Nysa Bedi Vs Government of Delhi]..Standing Counsel Sameer Vashisht, appearing for Delhi government, made the submission before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav.The Court was hearing a petition moved by certain students against holding sporting tournaments in Delhi schools during the winter months when air quality deteriorates in the national capital region. The government had earlier been asked to consider the suggestion..Following the government counsel's statement, the Court expressed doubt as to whether it can direct the government to change its sports calendar."I have a doubt if we can direct them when to keep the events. State government is dealing with thousands of students. They are well aware of the difficulties being faced by all concerned," the Court observed..Senior Advocate Shyel Trehan, appearing for the petitioners, opposed the stand taken by the government. She highlighted the stance by the earlier Bench which had heard the matter."I don't understand the resistance. There was resistance on the first date, that is why Justice [Sachin] Datta had passed an order directing them to change the calendar...Children are more susceptible. Please see the photographs of the lungs I have filed. They did criminal negligence on these students. It is very unfair on young people," the Court said.Justice Kaurav observed that the government as well as the Court are aware of the concerns."The Court understands that they are children. The department also understands. They have some difficulty and cannot redo it for some reason," the Court stated. .The plea was filed by students seeking directions to the Department of Education to frame the annual sports calendar in a manner ensuring that outdoor sports tournaments are not scheduled in Delhi during the peak air pollution months in winter season.According to the plea, authorities conduct zonal, inter-zonal, state and national-level outdoor sporting events at a time when Delhi’s air quality is verifiably and foreseeably ‘severe’ and ‘hazardous’.This repeated scheduling forces children, recognised as a vulnerable group, to undertake strenuous physical activity in toxic air, is violating their fundamental rights under Articles 21 and 21A of the Constitution, the petitioners contended..During the previous hearing in November 2025, Justice Sachin Datta had ordered the Delhi government to consider rescheduling the annual sporting calendar from next year. The Court had pulled up the government for shirking its responsibility and not recognising the seriousness of the issue. Further, Justice Datta had exhorted the Delhi Government to frame the annual calendar in a manner that a minimum number of sporting events are organised in the winter months..Today, Justice Kaurav clarified that Justice Datta had only made a request to the government and not passed any binding order."There is no mandamus. The Court has only requested them to make an endeavour. If despite the best application of mind they are unable to redo anything, we will appreciate the reasons then only we can proceed further," the judge said..The Court was also informed that the Supreme Court had directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider adding sporting activities to GRAP, the action plan designed to control activities in the city when the pollution rises.The High Court will hear the case next on March 24..Senior Advocate Shyel Trehan with advocates Manjira Dasgupta, Bhargav Ravindran Thali, Rohan Poddar, Mayank Khaitan and Vidhi Jain appeared for the petitioner parents. Delhi Government's Standing Counsel Sameer Vashisht appeared for the Department of Education. .[Read live coverage].Senior Advocate Shyel Trehan was assisted by Advocates Manjira Dasgupta, Bhargav Ravindran Thali and Mayank Khaitan.