The Supreme Court has firmly ruled out a complete, blanket ban on firecrackers ahead of Diwali, noting that a total prohibition would hurt public sentiments, according to reports. While declining a total ban, the apex court made it clear that unrestricted, round-the-clock bursting of firecrackers will not be permitted.
The Court accepted specific next-generation joint crackers, commonly known as laris, featuring shell and interval limits.
Balancing Public Sentiments and Regulatory Oversight
During the hearings, the bench addressed the delicate balance between environmental concerns and cultural observances. According to reports, the Supreme Court stated that imposing a blanket cracker ban "will hurt sentiments."
At the same time, the judiciary emphasized that unregulated use is untenable. The court's strict stance that there will be no 24-hour, round-the-clock bursting of firecrackers allowed during the festive period.
Time-Bound Use and Scientific Assessments
The regulatory framework is currently being shaped by expert evaluations. According to reports, the Supreme Court will formally set specific time windows for firecracker use after reviewing a forthcoming report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Furthermore, the bench has granted the Centre and relevant expert bodies time until October 15 to complete their comprehensive assessments regarding the environmental impact of barium-containing green crackers on ambient air quality.