New Delhi: Calling it a mere “eyewash”, the Supreme Court came down heavily on the Delhi Police for failing to comprehensively implement the firecracker ban in the national capital and only seizing raw materials.
The apex court has said that no religion encourages increasing pollution. If firecrackers are burnt, there is no clean air, which is a violation of Article 21 i.e. the right to life. The court directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to personally give an affidavit by November 25, saying that the steps taken by him to implement the ban on firecrackers should be kept on record. We direct all NCR states to appear before us and inform us about their steps to keep pollution to a minimum.
The Supreme Court expressed displeasure at the Delhi government and Delhi Police. Justice Oka said that let your stakeholders come to us. If someone is claiming the right to burn firecrackers under Article 21, then let them come to us. Justice Oka said why is it limited to Diwali only? Why not be alert beforehand. The central government said that the Delhi government issued instructions on October 14, just two days after Dussehra. Nothing was done before that.
Instructions for creating a special cell
The Supreme Court said that we direct the Delhi Police Commissioner to form a special cell to ensure effective implementation of the ban on firecrackers. We wonder why the Delhi government delayed the ban till October 14? It is possible that users would have got stock of firecrackers before that. There is a right to live in a pollution-free environment under Article 21. Prima facie, we believe that no religion promotes any activity that promotes pollution or compromises the health of people.
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