A protest in Delhi against rising air pollution turned into a major controversy on Sunday evening after some demonstrators were seen holding posters of top Maoist leader Madvi Hidma, who was killed in a police encounter in Andhra Pradesh last week. The unexpected appearance of his image has led to sharp political reactions and a police investigation.

A video widely shared online shows protesters sitting near the C-Hexagon area around India Gate and shouting slogans about Delhi’s toxic air. In the crowd, one person is seen holding a poster with a drawing of Madvi Hidma, a wanted Maoist commander who had a reward of ₹1 crore on his head.

Hidma, the head of CPI (Maoist)’s Battalion 1, has been linked to some of the deadliest attacks in Bastar, including the 2017 Burkapal ambush and the 2010 Chintalnar attack. He was killed in an encounter with Andhra Pradesh Police on November 18 in Alluri Sitaramaraju district.

The presence of his poster at an air pollution protest has surprised officials and sparked political comments.

The protest was organised by the Delhi Coordination Committee for Clean Air to raise concern about the dangerous pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. However, tension rose when some demonstrators blocked traffic and allegedly used chilli powder and pepper spray on police who were trying to clear the area.

Police said the protesters broke barricades, sat on the road, and blocked emergency vehicles. Three to four police personnel were hurt in the eyes and face and taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.

Officials confirmed that 15 protesters were arrested for attacking on-duty police officers.

Delhi Development Minister Kapil Mishra strongly criticised the posters, suggesting a link between extremist ideas and the protest.

He wrote on X: "Posters in hand under the guise of pollution, Red Salute slogans on their lips… the new face of jihadis and Naxalites posing as social activists."

Police are now looking into how the posters reached the protest and whether they were brought by someone with a specific motive.

Who was Madvi Hidma?

Madvi Hidma, believed to be in his mid-40s, operated from the thick forests of Sukma and was considered one of the most dangerous Maoist leaders. He planned several high-casualty ambushes on security forces and trained new Maoist fighters in guerrilla warfare. His death last week was seen as a major success for anti-Naxal operations.

The protest was meant to highlight Delhi’s “toxic air emergency,” as pollution in several parts of the city touched the “severe” category. Organisers had blamed authorities for taking only “surface-level measures” like sprinklers and cloud seeding.

But the sudden appearance of Hidma’s poster and the clash with police shifted attention away from the pollution issue.

Delhi Police DCP Devesh Kumar Mahla said an FIR has been filed under several sections for using force on police, blocking roads, and displaying controversial posters. He said strict action will be taken as the inquiry continues.

Police are checking CCTV footage, social media videos, and the profiles of those detained. More arrests may be made.

The incident has raised concerns about the misuse of public protests and possible security risks in the capital.