Supreme Court Orders Immediate Action On Firecracker Ban In Delhi: 'No Religion Encourages Pollution'

The Supreme Court has ordered the Delhi Police to take "immediate action" to halt the sale and use of firecrackers in the national capital-an annual occurrence that openly defies the existing ban-even days after Diwali, noting firmly that "no religion encourages pollution."

"No religion encourages any activity which creates pollution. If firecrackers are burst in this fashion... it also affects fundamental right to health of the citizens," observed a bench consisting of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Agustine George Masih, as it reviewed a case on Delhi's persistent air quality crisis.

The court also called upon the Delhi government to reach a decision on imposing a permanent ban on firecrackers-whose toxic residues engulf the city in hazardous smog, posing severe health risks to residents-by November 25.

Today's hearing follows last week's reprimand for both the Delhi government and police, each of whom was issued a notice to clarify their failure to enforce the firecracker ban, announced annually before Diwali but largely ineffective.

In response, the Delhi Police chief submitted an affidavit detailing the steps taken, though the court-having noted earlier that the ban appeared to be ineffective-remained unsatisfied.

"After October 14 did the police go and stop sale of firecrackers at places where licences were granted?" the court asked, to which the police responded, "Yes."

"This is all eyewash... what you seized was raw material of crackers," the court retorted.