Clean Diwali

THE onset of winter makes the National Capital Region a fishbowl of toxic materials as atmospheric conditions conspire to contain, indeed trap, particulate matter from all kinds of polluting agents. During this period, there is not enough wind to disperse the smog and pollutants, and thus the particulate matter count rises several times over the acceptable level; it was 16 times last October. Indeed, a mix of several factors leads to this situation but a major contribution is from the spike caused by firecrackers burst to celebrate Diwali. 

The Supreme Court has now reinstated its ban on the sale of firecrackers in New Delhi and the NCR till November 1 in order to observe “the impact of a cracker-free festivity”. On September 12, the court had temporarily lifted its earlier order and permitted the sale of firecrackers. The new order has the support of the Central Pollution Control Board, other environmental protection bodies and NGOs. However, there has been a strong backlash from social media,  from individuals who interpret the order in a particular religious framework. Then there is the issue of enforcing the ban as was the case with Jallikattu. Bursting firecrackers has both environmental and health costs. There are always cases of people, particularly children, maimed while bursting crackers during Diwali. It is improper to view the ban through a prism of religious discrimination. 

All communities and right-thinking individuals should join hands to find ways in which the traditional dependence on firecrackers during festivals is reduced and other modes of celebration, like diyas and sweets for Diwali, are promoted. Schools in the Capital, as also in many other cities such as Chandigarh, are to be commended for raising awareness among children, and by extension, their families. A perceptible change in attitudes has been noticed on the ground, and this has made a difference. It takes concerted effort to change attitudes, and sometimes an external nudge is necessary. The Supreme Court order, coupled with the obvious gains in air quality that it will result in, ought to be treated as an opportunity for facilitating change, and irrelevant political and parochial noise ignored.