Climate & Environment

Supreme Court Urges Celebrity Involvement to Promote Cracker‑Free Diwali

By Anjali Thakur

The Supreme Court has recommended that prominent sports figures, including India’s Virat Kohli, be enlisted in a public awareness campaign to encourage a cracker‑free Diwali. The suggestion came as the court examined petitions about firecracker‑related pollution and regulatory measures, according to India Today. During a hearing, Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale noted that repeated annual directives to control pollution had yielded limited results, with violations persisting despite restrictions. The judges proposed that influential public figures could help communicate the importance of celebrating Diwali without firecrackers, especially in Delhi. Justice Varale asked why authorities could not use respected personalities such as sportsmen to raise awareness. Justice Sundresh suggested that the Delhi government could approach celebrated cricketers, including Kohli, to participate in an awareness campaign. He added that fireworks were not originally part of Diwali celebrations and only became associated with the festival over time.

The Supreme Court is reviewing several aspects of firecracker regulation, including permissible barium content, and will take up the issue after Diwali. Petitioners raised concerns about the government’s two‑week consultation process, ongoing sale and transport of firecrackers, and the need for a complete ban on manufacturing. They argued that firecracker pollution threatens the right to life, and highlighted child labour and storage violations in the industry.

Amicus curiae Aparajita Singh warned that firecrackers release toxic gases and hazardous particulate matter, including PM2.5, which can enter the bloodstream and affect vital organs. She cited doctors’ observations of worsening lung health among children and non‑smokers, and noted that green crackers marketed as environmentally friendly are not pollution‑free.

Advocate J Sai Deepak, representing firecracker manufacturers, argued that a blanket ban is ineffective and encourages black‑market sales, smuggling of Chinese crackers, and unlicensed products. He said the industry is regulated under the Explosives Act and that manufacturers violating QR‑code requirements should face action, including licence cancellation. He also claimed that pollution levels had fallen but compliant manufacturers were being penalised for violations committed by others.

The court questioned the Delhi government’s preparedness and pollution‑control measures, asking why only nine of 39 monitoring stations were operational and what actions had been taken following earlier directions. It sought details of inspections, enforcement teams and action against illegal firecracker sales.

Representing the Delhi government and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati explained that air pollution is a genuine problem each year and that several measures are being implemented to address it. She said the Delhi government plans to start a program on November 1 that will require vehicles entering the national capital from outside to meet BS‑VI emission standards. Other measures include changing government office timings to reduce traffic, deploying anti‑smog guns near construction sites, and establishing control centres and air wardens. A total of 608 anti‑smog guns have been deployed. Bhati maintained that the government is better prepared to tackle pollution than the previous year, but acknowledged that air quality index levels were higher on days when firecrackers were permitted.