Virat Kohli for Diwali without crackers? Supreme Court Suggests Celebrity-Led Campaign to Cut Pollution | Today’s news
The Supreme Court has suggested involving prominent sportspersons, including Indian batsman Virat Kohli, in a public awareness campaign to encourage people to celebrate Diwali without crackers as it examines petitions on firecracker-related pollution and regulatory measures, India Today reported.
During a hearing on the matter, Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale observed that the repeated annual pollution control guidelines appeared to have limited impact and violations continued despite the restrictions.
The court also suggested that influential public figures could help communicate the importance of celebrating Diwali without firecrackers, especially in Delhi.
“Why can’t you use the services of prominent figures to bring awareness to the public, such as good athletes or public figures who are highly respected in any walk of life?” Judge Varale asked.
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Justice Sundresh suggested that the authorities could approach famous cricketers, including Kohli, to participate in the awareness campaign.
“For Delhi, if you can say, they will come and do. They will help you. Someone like, you know, famous cricketers like Virat Kohli or someone else, you can ask him to do a segment that will allow us to make this Diwali as one that is enjoyable. Let’s enjoy the spirit of the festival of light. It is the festival of light,” he said.
The judge also noted that fireworks were not originally associated with Diwali and over time they became part of the celebrations.
“As rightly said, it wasn’t there originally. The problem came when the fireworks started coming in. When the gunpowder came in, precisely from the 14th century to the 15th century, this would fit right in,” he noted.
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The Supreme Court is examining several aspects of firecracker regulation, including the permissible barium content of firecrackers. It said the issue would be addressed after Diwali.
Firecracker pollution: Petitioners seek total ban
During the hearing, petitioner Gopal Sankaranarayanan said the government is demanding two weeks to complete the consultation process even though firecrackers continue to be sold and transported without restrictions.
He sought a complete ban on the manufacture of firecrackers, arguing that pollution caused by firecrackers posed a threat to the right to life. He also raised concerns about child labor and storage violations in the industry.
Amicus curiae Aparajita Singh told the Supreme Court that firecrackers release toxic gases and hazardous particles, including PM2.5, which can enter the bloodstream and affect vital organs.
She cited doctors’ observations of deteriorating lung health, even in children and non-smokers.
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Singh also alleged that several firecrackers marketed as green crackers were deceptively labeled without a reliable mechanism to verify their authenticity.
Even real green crackers, she said, emit 30% less pollution than regular firecrackers, but they are not pollution-free.
She urged the court to continue the ban until an effective regulatory framework is in place.
Firecracker manufacturers are against a blanket ban
Appearing for the firecracker manufacturers, advocate J Sai Deepak argued that the blanket ban was ineffective and encouraged black market sales, smuggling of Chinese crackers and sale of unlicensed products.
He said the industry is regulated by the Explosives Act and that manufacturers violating the QR code requirements should face action, including cancellation of licences.
He also claimed that pollution levels have fallen, but manufacturers who comply have been penalized for violations committed by others.
According to him, a comprehensive ban would not eliminate the use of firecrackers and could, on the contrary, encourage the sale of more harmful smuggled products.
SC questions Delhi government’s pollution control measures
The Supreme Court also questioned the Delhi government’s preparedness and measures to control pollution, asking why only nine of the 39 monitoring stations were operational and what measures were taken as per its earlier directives.
She was seeking details of checks, enforcement teams and measures against the illegal sale of firecrackers.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Delhi government and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), told the court that air pollution is a real problem that authorities face every year and several measures are being put in place to address it.
She said the Delhi government has scheduled the start of the scheme on November 1, under which vehicles entering the capital from outside will have to meet BS-VI emission norms.
The timing of government offices was also changed to reduce traffic, while anti-smog weapons were deployed near construction sites.
Other measures included an anti-pollution plan, control centers and air traffic controllers. A total of 608 anti-smog weapons were deployed, she said.
Bhati claimed that the government was better prepared to tackle pollution than it had been in the previous year.
However, she admitted that air quality index (AQI) readings were higher on days when firecrackers were allowed.
