Importantly, the Court stressed the need to raise public awareness through print and television campaigns encouraging people to celebrate Diwali without firecrackers.The Bench suggested involving prominent personalities, including cricketer Virat Kohli, in these efforts.
“You can take help from celebrated cricketers like Virat Kohli or somebody.
You can request him to make a segment that let us make this Diwali as one that is enjoyable.
Let us enjoy the spirit of the festival of light,” the Court said.
The Court asked what authorities had done to enforce the restrictions when the firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR was temporarily relaxed last year.
Importantly, the Court stressed the need to raise public awareness through print and television campaigns encouraging people to celebrate Diwali without firecrackers.The Bench suggested involving prominent personalities, including cricketer Virat Kohli, in these efforts.
“You can take help from celebrated cricketers like Virat Kohli or somebody. You can request him to make a segment that let us make this Diwali as one that is enjoyable. Let us enjoy the spirit of the festival of light,” the Court said.
A Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale said its orders regulating firecracker use would become a “mockery” if they are not enforced on the ground.
“We also understand the sentiment of the public. Somebody wants to celebrate… Therefore, we are not inclined to impose a complete ban because, again, it will have a spiralling effect. But having said that, please don’t push us to take a harsh stand on it,” Justice Sundresh remarked.
The Court asked what authorities had done to enforce the restrictions when the firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR was temporarily relaxed last year. No enforcement data had been placed before it, the Bench noted.
“There is no point in passing orders unless you really give effect to them on the ground. It becomes a mere mockery then… It is not an adversarial matter. It concerns everyone. Every living being....,” the Bench said.
