
New Delhi, November 24, 2025: A massive controversy has erupted following the circulation of viral videos allegedly showing posters of Naxal commander Madvi Hidma being displayed during a recent protest against air pollution in Delhi. The presence of these images, which are linked to a wanted terrorist, has led to immediate public and political outrage, shifting the focus away from the core environmental issue.
The initial videos were recorded by attendees and were rapidly shared across social media platforms. These clips, which were intended to document the extent of the smog and the public’s frustration with the city’s air quality, were instead scrutinized for the political material that was carried by some of the protestors. High-resolution screenshots and detailed analysis of the footage were quickly produced by online users and media outlets to verify the nature of the posters that were being held up.
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Multiple fact-checking efforts have strongly indicated that posters featuring images resembling Madvi Hidma, a high-profile Naxal leader who is wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with several deadly attacks, were indeed visible within the crowd. The images were often placed alongside slogans and signs related to the pollution crisis, leading to allegations that the environmental protest was deliberately hijacked by certain elements to promote extremist agendas. The apparent attempt to merge a legitimate public health concern with terror support was widely condemned.
The revelation contained in the viral videos has triggered a severe political fallout. The Delhi police have been urged by various political bodies to immediately register a case and investigate how the posters of a wanted terrorist were introduced into a public demonstration. The incident was utilized by opposition parties to criticize the security and intelligence apparatus in the capital and to question the motive and funding behind the demonstration. The core issue of air pollution was completely overshadowed by the security risk that was exposed.
The entire episode has raised serious questions about the integrity of public protests and the ease with which genuine movements can be infiltrated by fringe or extremist groups. The demonstration, which was meant to focus on the severe health crisis caused by the smog, was unfortunately redefined in the public eye by the presence of the controversial posters. The videos are serving as a stark warning about the necessity of maintaining strict vigilance against the political manipulation of social causes.