Supreme Court has implemented ban on firecrackers in Delhi, by suspending sale of all fireworks before Deewali. This has unleashed ongoing criticism on social media, and many people have started linking this with religious sentiments. I am not going to go into the debate if this decision is right or wrong, as there are equally good arguments from both sides. But I can comment on the way it is implemented, and how this backlash could have been reduced to a larger extent.
I am from Kolkata, and for many years, the government over there has taken few decisions which were correct for the greater good, but not liked by many. As those decisions were taken sensibly, and were not as harsh as this one, so the protest or backlash was also controlled. Some of these decisions were limiting the sale area of fireworks in a controlled and designated place, (now implemented by other states too) stopping people to celebrate Holi on major roads, and let the celebration happened in lanes only. Similarly, years ago, they started the ban on firecrackers. But this ban was not on the entire range, and limited to the ones causing major sound and air pollution. They have redefined it year on year, taking suggestions and change in technology / manufacturing process into account, and refining it further. With controlled sale from designated marketplace setup specifically for this, the implementation was easy. And as the people are still allowed to use fireworks, the protest or complaint were limited. The noise level is still there, but has gone down to a large extent in Kolkata, and air pollution is also not as high as Delhi or other cities.
If Delhi followed Kolkata, and banned such high decibel and high pollutant fireworks, this all protest and religious backlash could have been easily avoided. Plus, the court has not banned “use” of these crackers, they have just banned “sale” and people are still free to buy it from “NCR” itself, just crossing the border of Delhi, and still “use” it. And this ban could provoke people to use more than what they normally do, just to feel good and religious about it.
I am sharing a poster from a West Bengal police station, showing the banned list in 2011. Look at the names, and we can always argue that seller can sell by changing the name. Yes, and that is why I said they have refined and redefined it over years. This year, the ban is only on crackers with sound over 90 decibel. I think states across should learn from each other, and in this case, all other states should follow this from the experience of Bengal!! That way, we can truly celebrate Deewali as Festival of Light, and spread love to everyone around, without hurting anyone’s sentiment!!
Happy Diwali to all of you!!
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