Shoppers in Delhi’s South Extension and Connaught Place paused amid festive crowds as Santa Clauses wearing gas masks walked through markets, drawing attention to the Capital’s hazardous air pollution through a creative awareness drive by NSUI.

In the middle of Christmas shopping rushes and decorated storefronts, residents of Delhi’s South Extension and Connaught Place encountered an unusual sight: Santa Clauses wearing gas masks instead of cheerful smiles.

The volunteers, part of a public awareness walk organised by the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), were not there to spread holiday cheer or pose for photographs. Instead, they carried a stark message about Delhi’s deteriorating air quality and the growing public health emergency it poses.

As the Santas walked through crowded lanes, they distributed face masks, candies and handwritten notes explaining how prolonged exposure to polluted air is increasingly dangerous. The contrast between festive costumes and protective gear quickly drew attention, prompting many shoppers to stop, read the notes and engage in conversation.

The initiative aimed to cut through the usual noise of daily life and make people reflect on how environmental issues continue to affect even moments meant for celebration.

“Clean Air Should Not Be a Luxury”: NSUI’s Message

According to NSUI representatives, the choice of Santa Claus as a symbol was deliberate. “Santa represents joy, gifts and care for children. When even Santa needs a gas mask to survive in Delhi, it forces people to think about what kind of air our children are breathing,” an NSUI office-bearer said during the walk.

He added that the organisation wanted to keep the protest peaceful, creative and inclusive, rather than confrontational.

Volunteers said they were encouraged by the response from the public. Several parents stopped to talk about respiratory problems faced by their children, while elderly shoppers shared concerns about worsening asthma and breathlessness during winter months.

“People already know the air is bad, but they have started accepting it as normal. Our effort is to remind everyone that this should not be normal,” another volunteer said.

The notes handed out during the walk reportedly highlighted basic facts about air pollution levels, their health impacts, and the need for urgent collective action-from authorities, industries and citizens alike.

By using a familiar festive figure, NSUI hoped to reach people who might otherwise ignore routine warnings or data shared through official advisories.

Delhi’s Recurring Winter Smog Crisis

Delhi’s air pollution problem is not new, but it has intensified over the years. Every winter, a combination of factors-vehicular emissions, construction dust, industrial pollution, crop residue burning in neighbouring states, and unfavourable meteorological conditions-push air quality into the ‘very poor’ or ‘severe’ category.

Thick smog often blankets the city, reducing visibility and increasing hospital visits for respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

According to health experts, prolonged exposure to polluted air can lead to chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, heart disease and developmental issues in children. Despite these risks, residents often feel powerless, caught between economic necessities and environmental concerns.

While authorities periodically implement measures such as restrictions on construction activities, vehicle use, and school closures, critics argue that these steps are often reactive and temporary.

In this context, civil society initiatives like the NSUI walk attempt to keep public attention focused on the crisis beyond headlines and emergency announcements.

By taking the message directly to marketplaces-spaces associated with routine life and celebration-the organisers aimed to underline how deeply pollution has seeped into everyday existence.

Public Reactions: Curiosity, Concern and Conversations

The walk generated mixed but largely engaged reactions from shoppers. Some people initially laughed or took photographs, assuming the Santas were part of a festive promotion. However, many grew serious after reading the notes or speaking to volunteers.

“It makes you uncomfortable, but in a good way,” said a shopper in Connaught Place. “You come here to buy gifts, but you forget that the air itself is harming us daily.”

Others appreciated the non-aggressive tone of the protest. “They didn’t shout slogans or block roads. They just made us think,” said a shopkeeper in South Extension.

A few passers-by, however, questioned whether such symbolic acts could lead to real change, reflecting a broader public fatigue with repeated pollution-related warnings.

Still, organisers maintained that sparking conversation was a crucial first step. “Policy change begins with public pressure, and public pressure begins with awareness,” an NSUI representative noted, adding that student groups have a responsibility to raise issues affecting future generations.

The Role of Youth and Creative Activism

Student-led activism has historically played a significant role in highlighting social and environmental issues in India. From campus discussions to street-level campaigns, youth organisations often experiment with creative methods to reach wider audiences.

The gas-mask Santa walk fits into this tradition of symbolic protest-using imagery to make complex or overwhelming problems more relatable.

Environmental activists say such efforts complement scientific data and legal advocacy. While reports and statistics are essential, they often fail to emotionally engage the public.

Visual actions, especially in shared public spaces, can humanise the crisis and make its consequences harder to ignore.

However, activists also stress that awareness must translate into sustained engagement. “One walk cannot solve pollution, but it can remind people that silence and acceptance are part of the problem,” said an environmental campaigner familiar with similar initiatives.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

At The Logical Indian, we believe that peaceful, empathetic and creative expressions of dissent are essential for a healthy democracy and a compassionate society.

The image of Santa Claus-traditionally a symbol of care and generosity-wearing a gas mask is unsettling precisely because it reflects a shared reality we have grown used to ignoring.

Environmental crises are not abstract issues; they shape our health, our childhoods and our collective future.

While governments must be held accountable for long-term, science-based solutions, citizens too have a role in demanding change and adjusting everyday practices. Initiatives like this remind us that dialogue, kindness and imagination can coexist with protest.