Supreme Court's ban on firecrackers in Delhi and NCR till Novemeber 1 is receiving mixed response. While some are applauding the apex court for this move, others are questioning the ban. Author Chetan Bhagat to is upset with SC's decision. He took to Twitter to express his opinions and asked what is Diwali for children without crackers.
In a series of tweets, the best-selling author said, ''SC bans fireworks on Diwali? A full ban? What’s Diwali for children without crackers?'' In next tweet, he wrote, ''“Can I just ask on cracker ban. Why only guts to do this for Hindu festivals? Banning goat sacrifice and Muharram bloodshed soon too?” The tweet got more controversial as he said, “Banning crackers on Diwali is like banning Christmas trees on Christmas and goats on Bakr-Eid. Regulate. Don’t ban. Respect traditions.'' He then went on to say, ''आज अपने ही देश में, उन्होंने बच्चों के हाथ से फुलझड़ी भी छीन ली। हैपी दिवाली मेरे दोस्त।'' His tweets drew flak from many, even from Congress leader Shashi Tharoor. The politician wrote, ''Your examples of practices integral to those observances; banning them would be like banning lamps onDiwali. Firecrackers are unholy add-ons.''
A three-judge bench headed by Justice AK Sikri upheld November 11, 2016 order and banned firecrackers in Delhi and NCR territory. The petition was filed by three children aged between six years and 14 months. SC said that it want to assess the air quality and contribution of Diwali in degrading it. It also sasserted that those who have fircrackers can burst it. Last year, after Diwali, Delhi's air was engulfed in toxic smog and suspended particles. The pollution level reached its worst in 10 years with many residents complaining of uneasiness and breathlessness.
