Supreme Court Shocks Nation with Nationwide Firecracker Ban – You Won’t Believe the Impact!

Supreme Court Shocks Nation with Nationwide Firecracker Ban – You Won’t Believe the Impact!

supreme court bans firecrackers in india 2023:

The Supreme Court was in the process of reviewing a petition that sought directives for the Rajasthan government to adhere to the court’s mandates, which prohibit the utilization of firecrackers containing barium salts and other environmentally harmful chemicals.

 

New Delhi: In a pivotal clarification aimed at combatting pollution, the Supreme Court has stipulated that its 2021 ruling, which permits only the use of eco-friendly firecrackers, extends beyond the Delhi-NCR region to encompass the entire country. During the proceedings, the bench observed that fireworks are no longer commonly ignited by children and that it is now primarily adults who partake in such activities. The court also emphasized that safeguarding the environment is a collective responsibility.

In response to a petition seeking enforcement of the court’s orders directing the Rajasthan government to prohibit the use of firecrackers containing barium salts and other environmentally harmful chemicals, as well as to mitigate air and noise pollution during festive periods, a panel of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh concluded that no further directives were necessary. They affirmed the supremacy of Supreme Court rulings nationwide and urged Rajasthan to adhere to their prior directives on this matter.

In 2021, the Supreme Court had declared that while a complete ban on firecrackers was not in place, those containing barium salts were expressly forbidden. The Court noted widespread violations of this ruling and issued a stern warning that senior officials at various levels could be held personally accountable for any lapses.

In 2018, the court had established specific time windows for the discharge of firecrackers. It decreed that they should only be ignited between 8 pm and 10 pm during Diwali and from 11:55 pm to 12:30 am on New Year and Christmas.

“Take All Necessary Actions”

During the recent hearing, the bench asserted, “At this point, there is no need for any additional specific orders, as this court has issued numerous directives outlining measures to reduce and prevent both air and noise pollution. These orders are binding for every state in the nation, including the state of Rajasthan.”

“Consequently, we wish to emphasize that the state of Rajasthan should heed these directives and take every conceivable measure to mitigate air and noise pollution, not only during the festive season but also in the aftermath,” they added.

The petitioner’s counsel informed the court that there has been a surge in noise and air pollution in Rajasthan during the festive season and requested a directive for the Udaipur administration due to the weddings held there.

‘Misconception Corrected’

The attorney representing Rajasthan expressed, “Every citizen should ensure that they limit their use of fireworks during Diwali.”

The bench responded, “In today’s times, it’s the adults who are predominantly involved in bursting firecrackers, not children.”

The court also pointed out the misconception that addressing pollution and safeguarding the environment is solely the responsibility of the court, clarifying that it is a collective duty for everyone.

Earlier in the day, during the proceedings of a petition addressing pollution in Delhi, where the Air Quality Index had exceeded 400, the Supreme Court emphasized that this matter should not be transformed into a political dispute. The court underscored that the deteriorating air quality is directly linked to the “severe harm to public health.