SC Urges Delhi Govt To Decide On Yr-Round Firecracker Ban

New Delhi: No religion encourages any activity that creates pollution, the Supreme Court on Monday remarked and directed the Delhi government to decide within a fortnight on extending the firecracker ban throughout the year.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih said the right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere was a fundamental right of every citizen, protected by Article 21 of the Constitution.

"Prima facie, we are of the view that no religion encourages any activity, which creates pollution. If fire crackers are burnt in this fashion then it also affects fundamental right to health of citizens," it underlined.

Noting the submission of the counsel of the Delhi government, which he said would decide on whether to extend the ban throughout the year in consultation with all stakeholders, the top court asked it take a call by November 25.

The apex court further asked the neighbouring state governments to respond on banning manufacture, sale, storage and bursting of firecrackers in their areas. During the hearing, the bench came down heavily on the Delhi police for failing to comprehensively implement the firecracker ban in the national capital, calling its actions a mere "eyewash".