The Supreme Court on Monday said that public awareness and voluntary participation would be more effective in addressing the problem of firecracker-induced air pollution in Delhi-NCR than imposing restrictive orders that could be difficult to enforce on the ground.
A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. The Supreme Court was hearing suo motu proceedings concerning air pollution in Delhi-NCR, including the use of firecrackers, crop residue burning and solid waste management. “The only problem, and we are repeating this, is that the moment you pass an order, a restrictive order, people take it as if it is a kind of coercive action. It is a human reaction. During the hearing, senior advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the top court as amicus curiae, argued that firecrackers were not an essential part of religious observance and drew attention to their adverse impact on public health, particularly among children, elderly persons and those suffering from illnesses.
Mohana said the apex court would not hurt religious sentiments but stressed the need for a balanced and practical approach to minimise the harmful effects of firecrackers. We should be very practical and pragmatic in these things,” the apex court said.
Firecrackers are not. Gods would be aghast if they knew that children are suffering and getting sick in their name,” she submitted. A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B.
“Because fireworks are not part of religion; worship is! Singh urged the apex court to refer the issue to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which is responsible for coordinating air pollution control measures in Delhi-NCR, so that the available scientific material and medical concerns could be examined.
Varale had said that the top court needed to balance religious sentiments associated with Diwali against concerns over air pollution and its impact on children, elderly persons and those suffering from illnesses.
