Supreme Court favors awareness over blanket firecracker ban

The Supreme Court of India has indicated it may not impose a blanket ban on firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region ahead of Diwali, favoring a balanced approach that weighs public health against religious sentiments.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant emphasized the importance of public awareness and voluntary participation to combat air pollution. The court noted that restrictive orders can often be perceived as coercive and may be difficult to enforce effectively on the ground.

Instead of a total ban, the court is considering practical measures such as promoting the use of green crackers, restricting bursting to specific hours, and launching awareness campaigns regarding the health hazards of highly polluting firecrackers. The proceedings also addressed broader pollution concerns, including crop residue burning and solid waste management.