Ahead of the upcoming festival season, the Supreme Court of India has refused to impose a complete ban on firecrackers across the country. Instead, the top court stated that it will find a balanced middle ground by setting specific time limits for bursting crackers during celebrations like Diwali.
A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale made it clear that while a total ban hurts public emotions and cultural traditions, allowing firecrackers 24/7 harms human health, especially affecting children, elderly citizens, and patients. The judges noted that fixing designated hours for bursting crackers is the best solution to respect public sentiments while keeping air pollution under control.
During the hearing, the court discussed allowing eco friendly "green crackers" that cause lower emissions and reduced noise levels compared to traditional ones. Only licensed manufacturers will be allowed to sell these approved variants under strict rules. This key ruling brings major relief to millions of people preparing for Diwali celebrations who feared a total blanket ban. However, strict compliance with the fixed timings will be enforced by city authorities across states. The court will finalize further rules on chemical safety and specific regional guidelines in its upcoming hearing on October 15.
