Prepared for tear gas: Protesters turn up in swimming goggles, N95 masks at Jantar Mantar

On Tuesday, several protesters at Jantar Mantar came carrying swimming goggles, N95 masks and helmets after watching videos of Monday’s tear gas clashes circulate on social media. The protective gear stood out almost as much as the placards.

Some protesters returned wearing the same goggles and masks they had used during Monday’s clashes, while many others bought them overnight after watching videos of the previous day’s events on social media.

Tear gas shells were lobbed and lathis rained down on protesters at Parliament Street, Patel Chowk and Rail Bhawan during Monday’s march as slogans demanding accountability mixed with screams from those affected by the tear gas and police action.

The first-time protestors said Instagram reels, X posts and WhatsApp texts became their guide after videos from Monday’s clashes began circulating online.

The advice was simple and repeated across platforms: wear swimming goggles to protect the eyes, put on an N95 mask, carry a damp towel to cover the face, wear full-sleeved clothes to reduce skin irritation and, if possible, use a helmet in case of a lathi-charge.

Instead of discussing slogans or speeches, many young protesters exchanged tips on what had worked the previous day. Some showed friends how tightly an N95 mask should fit, while others adjusted each other’s goggles or reminded them to keep their towels wet.

Hardik, a 22-year-old from Delhi, adjusted the goggles hanging around his neck before pulling his N95 mask snugly over his face. He said he had worn the same goggles and mask during Monday’s march and did not think twice before carrying them again.

“The tear gas was much stronger than I expected. Even after we moved away, we could still feel it. Yesterday taught us that the goggles and mask have to fit tightly. Even a small gap lets the gas in. These goggles really helped me, so I brought them again today. I bought them yesterday from Zepto,” he said. Despite Monday’s clashes, Hardik said he never considered staying away. “I came yesterday, I came back today, and I’ll keep coming back. If students are raising questions about education, I want to stand with them. It is our fundamental right,” he said.