Hindustan Surkhiyan Desk: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to put a ban on firecrackers, but imposed certain restrictions on the use and sale of the same. The top court permitted the sale and manufacture of low emission “green” firecrackers countrywide and fixed a two-hour time period from 8 pm to 10 pm for bursting them on Diwali. It said that firecrackers would be allowed between 11.55 p.m. and 12.30 a.m. on Christmas and New Year.
The court was hearing a plea seeking a ban on manufacture and sale of firecrackers across the country to curb air pollution.
It also restrained e-commerce websites like Flipkart and Amazon from selling firecrackers which were beyond the permissible limit. The apex court had said the Article 21 (right to life) of Constitution applies to both segments of people and it needs to maintain a balance while considering a countrywide ban on firecrackers. It had asked the Centre to suggest measures for curbing pollution and the effect of firecrackers on the public at large.
The Supreme Court’s verdict created a buzz on Twitter with many celebrating the order while some expressing disappointment.
https://twitter.com/BiskutKhao/status/1054564201316806656
Air is secular. Let's not look at it through the lens of religion. There is no threat to a religion. There is a very serious one to air; which we breathe every alternate second. #firecrackers
— Ravinder Singh (@_RavinderSingh_) October 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/sum1mystrious/status/1054700692085055489
https://twitter.com/Deshi_bobby/status/1054649638282764288
Indians after #firecrackers verdict by Supreme Court. pic.twitter.com/LjPWAICpCF
— Funnily Serious (@notionalview) October 23, 2018
