This Diwali the capital of India is barred from bursting firecrackers

Last year, the air pollution in Delhi-NCR reached alarming rates so much so that schools were forced to close and people complained of children suffering from breathing problems and health concerns related to pollution.  This year, a week ahead of Diwali, the Supreme Court has temporarily banned selling firecrackers that otherwise are sold like hot cakes around this time especially in the capital region.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy has reportedly shown that Delhi has hit new records of unhealthy quality of air and firecrackers are known to make it worse with fumes and smoke rising up in the air, making it all the more difficult to even breathe a whiff of fresh, clean air. In 2016, face masks were being sold too to avoid breathing polluted air that was at its record worst in the past 20 years, reports Reuters.

The ban that has already been implemented will stretch till November 1 as the season for fireworks in Delhi-NCR extends till the end of Guru Nanak’s birthday that is usually within a month of Diwali.

The number of vehicles on the roads of the capital have also been claimed to have reached record proportions as families have multiple number of vehicles and members of one family prefer to travel in different cars, adding fuel to the fire.

Coupled with this striking air pollution issues is the arrival of smog that hots thew capital during the months of October-November, making it nearly impossible to see anything outside or breathe fresh air even in the wee hours of the morning.

The Hindu reports that the Supreme Court judges are attempting a test run on the capital trying to see how a Diwali without fireworks helps the air quality to improve.

However, the decision did not go well with some Twitteratis who believe banning crackers on Diwali resembles celebrating Christmas without Christmas tree. Chetan Bhagat and Virender Sehwag were seemingly offended with the SC’s judgment and denounced the move. Bhagat took to a series of tweets to express his disapproval of the order.

Banning crackers on Diwali is like banning Christmas trees on Christmas and goats on Bakr-Eid. Regulate. Don’t ban. Respect traditions.

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

SC bans fireworks on Diwali? A full ban? What’s Diwali for children without crackers?

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

Can I just ask on cracker ban. Why only guts to do this for Hindu festivals? Banning goat sacrifice and Muharram bloodshed soon too?

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

It is one day of the year. Our biggest festival. Uber has saved pollution more than any ban would. Come up with innovations. Not bans. https://t.co/1XfDHatBjW

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

Diwali one day a year is causing disorders? Or unchecked polluters who pollute everyday? https://t.co/zbv4wMqDje

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

RT if this year you will celebrate Diwali extra dhoom dhaam se.

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) October 9, 2017

I personally don’t like crackers but I hate this selective targeting of the Hindu festivities. Ban crackers but ban animal sacrifice too.

— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) October 9, 2017

On the other hand, there were others including cricketer Yuvraj Singh who posted their agreement of the court’s decision:

Ban on firecrackers may just be the best thing to happen to Diwali. Let us reinvent Diwali with lights without sound and smoke. ?⭐️?✨☀️

— Shivam Vij (@DilliDurAst) October 9, 2017

Say no to crackers, let’s celebrate a pollution free Diwali ? #saynotocrackers #pollutionfree pic.twitter.com/l1sotpKizM

— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) October 8, 2017

Photo Credits: Instagram