Nagpur :- Every year, as winter approaches, Delhi-NCR and much of North India are engulfed in a choking haze of pollution. Governments, agencies, and courts spring into action, but the root cause remains unaddressed. Rules are made, directives issued, and press conferences held, yet the same smog, the same toxic air, and the same tear-inducing mornings return.
This year, the Supreme Court allowed the limited use of ‘green firecrackers’ from October 18 to 21, between 6-8 am and 8-10 pm. But on the ground, the impact is negligible. Firecrackers are lit weeks before Diwali, and the air quality plummets.
The real question is, why does the Supreme Court repeatedly grant such permissions? Because Diwali has become a symbol of religious identity and political posturing. Firecrackers are now portrayed as a ‘Hindu tradition,’ and restrictions are seen as ‘anti-religion.’
The ‘Green’ Deception
Scientifically, green firecrackers aren’t pollution-free; they simply contain fewer harmful chemicals. They’re touted as ‘30% less polluting,’ but that’s no panacea. The noise pollution remains, with decibel levels reaching 110-125, far exceeding the legal limit of 90.
This ‘green’ label is just a mental comfort – the same old poison, repackaged.
Laws, Monitoring, and Ground Reality
Since 2018, the Supreme Court has issued similar orders, but enforcement is lacking. Green firecrackers are nearly impossible to identify, and vendors sell traditional ones with ‘green’ labels.
A Cultural and Political Malaise
Pollution in India isn’t just an environmental crisis; it’s a symptom of cultural and political inertia. Diwali is celebrated with noise and smoke, and citizens buy ‘air purifiers’ to cope.
The fight against pollution requires a change in behavior and consciousness, not just laws or campaigns.
The Question Within
We complain about pollution, but fail to take individual responsibility. The biggest cause of pollution is our collective apathy.
Green firecrackers won’t save us; societal change will. Diwali’s true meaning is ‘from darkness to light,’ not ‘from smoke to darkness.’