New Delhi. An important hearing will be held in the Supreme Court today regarding the demand to ban firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. During the last hearing held on Monday, the Supreme Court had clarified that it is not practically possible to impose a complete ban on firecrackers in the entire country, but fireworks cannot be allowed 24 hours either. The court also said that it is very important to strike a balance between people’s health and religious sentiments.
Need for balance between health and traditions
The bench of Chief Justice (CJI) Surya Kant has appealed to the citizens to celebrate the festival in less pollution-free ways. The court said that a fixed time has to be fixed for bursting firecrackers, so that the religious sentiments of the people are not hurt and they do not have to face any kind of trouble. During the hearing, Amicus Curiae Aparajita Singh had said that if God came to know that small children were falling ill in his name, then he would also be shocked by this situation.
Emphasis on practical orders and awareness
During the hearing, the Supreme Court emphasized that no order should be given which cannot be implemented on the ground. The court asked to test its practicality before issuing the order. Justice Bagchi also raised questions on the religious basis of fireworks. CNI said that there is a need to make people aware and sensible so that they can know which firecrackers cause more harm. The court appealed to the people to return to their original culture, which has a tradition of lighting only lamps and using sparklers.
Green firecrackers were allowed last year
Last year, before Diwali, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) had crossed 200, in view of which the Supreme Court had given conditional permission for the sale and use of only green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR keeping in mind the environmental and health concerns. The court had given permission to run them only at the stipulated time and had also raised the question that if the citizens of Delhi-NCR have the right to clean air, then why should the people of other cities of the country not get this right.
AQI reaching dangerous level
Air Quality Index (AQI) is a type of thermometer, which measures pollution instead of temperature. Through this, the amount of pollutants like carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, PM 2.5 and PM 10 present in the air is measured on a scale from zero to 500. At present the AQI level has crossed 300 in many cities of Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. This increasing air pollution is not just a number, but a big sign of serious health crisis and diseases in the times to come.
