The Supreme Court of India on Thursday (October 29) suggested involving cricket legend Virat Kohli and other highly respected public figures to lead a public awareness campaign promoting a firecracker-free Diwali.

A bench comprising Justice M.M. Sundresh and Justice P.B. Varale put forward this idea while hearing ongoing proceedings regarding the severe air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region.

Expressing frustration over the lack of implementation of its anti-pollution directives, the court noted that passing annual guidelines has essentially become an "academic exercise" because they are routinely violated.

Justice Sundresh stated that someone of Kohli’s stature could record impactful segments encouraging citizens to celebrate the "spirit of the festival of light" without contributing to pollution.

“For Delhi, if you can say, they will come and do. They will help you. Somebody like, you know, the celebrated cricketers like Virat Kohli or somebody, you can request him to make a segment that let us make this Diwali as one that is enjoyable. Let us enjoy the spirit of the festival of light," Justice Sundresh said, as quoted by Live Law.

The bench noted that fireworks were not part of Diwali’s original traditions, and only became intertwined with the culture centuries later.

Justice Varale questioned why the government hadn't engaged celebrated sportsmen or public figures to educate the masses.

“Why can’t you use the services of prominent personalities to make the public awareness like the good sportsmen or the public figures which are highly respected from any walk of life," Justice Varale said.

The bench also highlighted the need to educate school children about pollution so they can help guide family habits.

Virat Kohli has previously recorded such videos, which have drawn mixed reactions from the public on social media.

Kohli is currently in New Zealand to represent India in a five-match ODI series, slated to begin on November 4 in Auckland.