Supreme Court Calls for New Approach to Diwali Firecracker Ban Amid Enforcement Concerns

The Supreme Court reserved its order on the continuation of the firecracker ban in Delhi-NCR, observing that previous directives have often been ignored. A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale said the repeated violations have turned the issue into an "academic exercise" and that it is time to consider "something new and innovative."

"Every year, we pass orders on the issue... Our orders are violated more often than they are followed," the bench said.

The judges emphasized that effective pollution control requires higher-level action and greater awareness among younger people. Justice Sundresh remarked that the current generation is skeptical and that any balanced order must be backed by robust implementation.

The court also questioned the government’s lack of a compliance report following last year’s order, requesting details on enforcement teams, inspections, locations visited, dates, and collected data. It asked for information on the sale of Chinese firecrackers and actions taken against sellers, stressing that orders alone are insufficient without an enforcement mechanism.

"I feel our orders are followed more in breach. We want to know about the enforcement steps—prosecutions, actions against violators—every year we pass orders and it is not followed," Justice Sundresh said.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwaria Bhati argued that a total ban may not be the solution, prompting the court to note that Diwali should be celebrated as a festival of lights. The judges suggested that schools incorporate education on firecracker pollution and that prominent figures, including sports personalities such as Virat Kohli, be involved in awareness campaigns.

The court indicated that it will issue directions to educational authorities to educate children on the issue, aiming to improve compliance and reduce pollution during the festival.