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Volunteers dressed as Santa Claus walked through Delhi markets wearing gas masks to highlight hazardous air quality, demand accountability from authorities, and call for immediate action to ensure the fundamental right to clean air for all citizens.
NSUI Santas wore gas masks in Delhi to protest severe air pollution.
New Delhi: Shoppers in Delhi’s South Extension and Connaught Place were taken aback when they spotted Santa Clauses walking through the crowded streets wearing gas masks. This unusual sight was not part of festive celebrations but a demonstration organised by the National Students’ Union of India to draw attention to the capital’s worsening air pollution. Volunteers handed out masks, candies, and small notes that carried information about Delhi’s critical air quality and the dangers of breathing polluted air.
The protest aimed to spotlight the fact that Delhi’s air quality index has surpassed 500, far exceeding safe limits. Volunteers explained that prolonged exposure to such polluted air is harmful not only to children and the elderly but also to healthy adults. Many residents paused to read the notes, ask questions, and discuss the severity of the situation. The visual of Santas wearing gas masks served as a stark reminder of how severe the air crisis has become.
The volunteers put forward several demands for authorities, including immediate accountability of pollution-controlling agencies, strict regulation of major sources of pollution, and a transparent, comprehensive plan to clean the air. They also called for special measures to protect children, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups. Citizens were urged to support the campaign, sign petitions, and collectively raise their voices for the right to breathe clean air.
NSUI National President Varun Choudhary emphasised the urgency of the crisis. He said clean air is no longer optional but a necessity, highlighting that even festive Santas need protection against the toxic air. “Our children are growing up in gas chambers, and citizens are forced to choose between celebration and survival,” he said. Choudhary further criticised the Parliament for failing to address air quality, noting that not even 15 minutes were spent discussing the issue in the last 15 days of sessions.
The NSUI campaign also served as a direct appeal to Delhi residents to join the movement for clean air. By combining a creative protest with tangible awareness tools like masks and informative notes, the organisation hopes to push authorities into implementing a serious and time-bound action plan. The message was clear: clean air is essential for survival, and the public must hold both officials and industries accountable for the capital’s hazardous pollution levels.
