In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has issued a nationwide ban on the use of firecrackers. This decision extends the previously established restrictions on the use of barium and banned chemicals in firecrackers, which were initially applicable to the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and have now been expanded to encompass all states in the country.
The apex court clarified its position on this matter while deliberating a plea related to firecracker usage in the state of Rajasthan. In response to the state’s concerns, the court emphasized that no fresh directives were required and instructed Rajasthan to adhere to the existing orders.
The bench, comprising Justice A S Bopanna and Justice M M Sundresh, stated, “At this juncture, no specific order will be necessary in as much as this Court in the course of hearing the petitions has passed several orders, where steps have been indicated to minimize and avoid air as well as noise pollution. Hence the said orders will bind every state in the country, including the state of Rajasthan.”
Furthermore, the Supreme Court underscored that there exists a misperception regarding the court’s sole responsibility in addressing environmental issues. It asserted that the duty to manage pollution rests upon every individual.
The court also urged every citizen to promote an eco-friendly approach to celebrating Diwali, encouraging the use of fewer firecrackers.
Notably, in 2021, the Supreme Court had issued a series of directives to ensure that banned chemicals were not utilized in firecrackers leading up to Diwali. It clarified that the ban applied solely to firecrackers containing barium salts, while green crackers remained permissible, in line with directions issued in 2018.
In its hearing on November 7, 2023, the Supreme Court observed a noteworthy trend: a greater prevalence of firecracker use by adults in comparison to children. It called upon the state of Rajasthan to take immediate action to curb pollution in the city of Udaipur.
It is worth mentioning that on September 22, the Supreme Court had rejected a plea seeking the allowance of firecrackers containing barium chemicals for manufacturing, sale, and use.
