SC ban on firecrackers: Soon there will be petitions against Hindu cremations, says Tripura governor

Expressing discontent over Supreme Court decision of banning the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) during Diwali, Tripura governor Tathagata Roy dubbed the petition filed in the apex court as a move to single out Hindu festivals in the name of pollution.

कभी दही हांडी,आज पटाखा ,कल को हो सकता है प्रदूषण का हवाला देकर मोमबत्ती और अवार्ड वापसी गैंग हिंदुओ की चिता जलाने पर भी याचिका डाल दे !

— Tathagata Roy (@tathagata2) October 10, 2017

Roy took to Twitter to express his discontent. He tweeted: “First Dahi Handi, today (Tuesday) sale of firecrackers, tomorrow, in the name pollution, the candlelight march and Award wapsi brigade will file a petition against Hindus cremating dead bodies.”

Talking to CNN-News18 , Roy expressed his unhappiness on the restrictions placed on the bursting of crackers. However, he also defended his comments, saying that he has not “crossed his constitutional limits. I am entitled to my opinion”.

Supreme Court in its verdict had said that “we should see at least in one Diwali the impact of a cracker-free festivity". When Roy was asked about the apex court’s concern over rising pollution levels and poor air quality in Delhi, he argued that “Diwali happens only once a year".

On Monday, Supreme Court in its verdict had banned the sale of firecrackers in the capital and NCR until 1 November. Following the verdict, several leaders expressed discontent over the apex court’s decision to ban the sale of firecrackers during the festive occasion of Diwali.

Meanwhile, noted author Chetan Bhagat created a storm on social media by denouncing the verdict. In a series of tweets, Bhagat compared the ban on firecrackers to banning Christmas trees on Christmas or goat slaughter on Bakri Eid. He also questioned why the judiciary does not curb bloodshed on Eid and Muharram.

On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court denied permission to sell firecrackers in residential complexes across Mumbai.

The Chhattisgarh government too imposed a ban on the use of firecrackers with high decibels and those contributing to air pollution during Diwali.

Besides, a special public awareness campaign will be undertaken seeking the support of people to prevent air and sound pollution during the ensuing festival, he said.

Moreover, as per the circular, the bursting of firecrackers will be prohibited between 10 pm to 6 am.

A distance of at least 100 metres should be maintained from hospitals, educational institutes and religious places while bursting crackers.

With inputs from PTI