New Delhi, October 2026 : The Supreme Court on Monday emphasised that public awareness and voluntary participation would be more effective than restrictive orders in tackling firecracker-induced air pollution in Delhi-NCR, calling for a balanced and practical approach that respects religious sentiments while safeguarding public health.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana observed that imposing restrictions without ensuring their effective implementation could create resentment among citizens. It said efforts should instead focus on educating people about the harmful effects of firecrackers and encouraging them to adopt less polluting ways of celebrating Diwali.
The court was hearing suo motu proceedings concerning air pollution in the National Capital Region, covering issues including firecracker use, crop residue burning and solid waste management.
“We will not hurt religious sentiments, but at the same time, people should themselves come forward,” the Bench observed, stressing that a balanced approach could encourage society to take responsibility for reducing pollution.
The CJI-led Bench cautioned against issuing restrictive directions that might be perceived as coercive measures rather than practical solutions.
“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. We should be very practical and pragmatic in these things,” the court said.
The Bench noted that sufficient time remained to make a sincere appeal to citizens to celebrate Diwali responsibly. It suggested that people could be encouraged to limit firecracker use to specified hours, as had been attempted in previous years, while voluntarily reducing the overall number of fireworks used.
Amicus curiae highlights health concerns
During the hearing, senior advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the court as amicus curiae, argued that firecrackers were not an essential component of religious observance and raised concerns about their impact on public health.
She highlighted the risks faced by children, elderly people and individuals suffering from respiratory and other illnesses, arguing that the adverse consequences of firecracker use should not be overlooked in the name of religious celebrations.
“Because fireworks are not part of religion; worship is! Firecrackers are not. Gods would be aghast if they knew that children are suffering and getting sick in their name,” Singh submitted.
She urged the court to refer the issue to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the statutory body responsible for coordinating air pollution control measures in Delhi-NCR. Such a referral, she suggested, would allow scientific evidence and medical concerns relating to firecracker emissions to be examined.
Singh also expressed reservations about limiting firecracker use to one or two hours, questioning whether such restrictions could be effectively enforced on the ground.
The court, however, reiterated that public education and voluntary compliance should form an important part of the strategy to address the problem.
Court calls for awareness about less polluting alternatives
The Bench said citizens should be made aware of the relative environmental impact of different varieties of firecrackers and encouraged to choose less harmful alternatives wherever possible.
“We have to make people wiser, bring awareness and tell them which firecrackers are harmful and which are less harmful. We should promote that kind of culture and persuade people to return to our original culture, where there were only sparklers and the lighting of lamps,” the court observed.
It suggested that educational material could be prepared and circulated to explain the health and environmental consequences of firecracker use. Such information should encourage people to reduce bursting, avoid excessive noise and restrict celebrations involving fireworks to designated hours.
The Bench also indicated that authorities could examine measures to regulate the availability of firecrackers in the market. Under such an approach, less polluting varieties could be permitted while the sale of products causing greater pollution could be restricted.
The observations underline the court's emphasis on combining regulatory measures with public cooperation rather than relying exclusively on prohibitions that may be difficult to enforce.
The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on October 15.
Supreme Court earlier ruled out a complete ban
The latest observations follow the Supreme Court's September 30 hearing, when it ruled out a complete ban on firecrackers ahead of Diwali while indicating that their unrestricted use throughout the day would not be permitted.
A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale had said the court needed to strike a balance between religious sentiments associated with the festival and concerns over deteriorating air quality, particularly the impact of pollution on vulnerable groups.
The court had also considered a proposal to permit specified categories of next-generation joint green crackers, subject to safeguards governing their manufacture, noise levels, the number and size of shells, and the intervals between successive bursts.
It had sought further assessment from expert bodies regarding barium-based firecrackers.
Delhi-NCR faces recurring air-quality challenges around the festive season, when firecracker emissions can add to pollution from other sources. The court's proceedings have therefore focused on finding measures that can reduce environmental and health risks while remaining practical to implement.
With the next hearing scheduled for October 15, the Supreme Court is expected to continue examining possible regulatory safeguards, scientific assessments and public-awareness measures to address firecracker pollution during Diwali.
(Disclaimer :The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
