Senior government advisor Amitabh Kant has sharply criticised the Supreme Court’s decision to relax the ban on fire-crackers in the Delhi-NCR region ahead of Diwali, declaring the verdict a case of choosing the “right to burn crackers over the right to live.” According to data, the court permitted the use of “green crackers” from October 18 to 21, under specific timings.
Kant warned that reopening fire‐cracker use - even if labelled green - risks aggravating the capital’s already hazardous air quality and undermines public health priorities. Experts had flagged that these “less harmful” alternatives are still far from safe.
The Court’s order cited cultural and economic considerations while setting curbs on bursting hours. Kanti argues that public health and the environment must not yield to festive traditions or industry pressures. The controversy underscores the persistent tension between environmental protection and cultural celebration in India’s urban centres.
