Indian police raided the homes of environmental activists in Delhi and Mumbai over their participation in anti-fossil fuel campaigns, marking an escalation in government pressure on climate activism in the world's third-largest carbon emitter.
The raids, conducted by state security agencies, targeted organizers of campaigns urging financial institutions to divest from coal and oil projects. Authorities invoked national security provisions typically reserved for terrorism investigations, seizing computers, phones, and campaign materials without charges filed.
Activists from climate justice organization Let India Breathe faced interrogations about funding sources and international connections, reflecting government suspicions about foreign influence on domestic environmental advocacy. The crackdown follows months of protests against India's continued coal expansion despite renewable energy commitments.
In climate policy, as across environmental challenges, urgency must meet solutions—science demands action, but despair achieves nothing. The activist suppression in India demonstrates how authoritarian responses undermine the public participation essential for effective climate policy, particularly in democracies claiming environmental leadership.
India added more coal power capacity last year than any nation except China, even while Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government promotes solar energy investments internationally. The contradiction creates tension as climate activists highlight fossil fuel expansion incompatibility with emissions reduction pledges under the Paris Agreement.
Environmental groups emphasize India faces extreme climate vulnerability, with recent years bringing devastating floods, deadly heatwaves, and agricultural disruption affecting hundreds of millions. The nation ranks among the world's most climate-exposed populations, making urgent transition both environmental and humanitarian imperative.
Climate justice advocates argue India's development needs require international financial support for clean energy transition, not repression of citizens demanding action. Developed nations' historical emissions created the climate crisis disproportionately impacting India, yet wealthy countries provide inadequate climate finance for Global South adaptation and mitigation.
The raids reflect broader democratic backsliding concerns in India, where civil society groups face increasing government pressure through funding restrictions, sedition charges, and surveillance. Environmental activism particularly faces scrutiny when challenging powerful fossil fuel and industrial interests with government connections.
International human rights organizations condemned the raids as intimidation tactics suppressing legitimate climate advocacy. Amnesty International called for India to respect activists' rights to peaceful protest and environmental advocacy without fear of arbitrary detention.
The crackdown occurs as India negotiates international climate commitments ahead of this year's UN climate summit. Government officials publicly emphasize renewable energy achievements while privately pressuring activists criticizing continued fossil fuel expansion, creating contradictory signals about climate policy seriousness.
Activists noted the irony of raids targeting climate campaigners while India suffers worsening air pollution, with Delhi regularly ranking among the world's most polluted cities. Public health crises from fossil fuel combustion kill hundreds of thousands annually, yet those advocating for cleaner energy face government harassment.
Climate scientists emphasize India's enormous renewable energy potential through solar and wind resources. The nation could lead global clean energy transition while meeting development needs, but requires political will prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term fossil fuel interests.
The raids send chilling message to environmental advocates: challenging powerful industries invites state retaliation. That dynamic undermines the civil society engagement essential for democratic climate policymaking, particularly in nations where fossil fuel interests maintain substantial political influence.
