India : Supreme Court shouldn’t have Granted Permission to burn 'Green Crackers' even as a Test Case
- Vineet Malik
- Oct 19
- 3 min read
By Vineet Malik | October 19, 2025 | India
The Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Rekha Gupta takes pride in receiving a green signal from the Top Court to allow burning ‘Green Fire Crackers’ on the occasion of the festival of lights – ‘Diwali’ in Delhi National Capital Region (NCR).
However, people are expressing resentment on a plea filed by the Delhi Government that justifies keeping the sentiments of people high on the occasion.
Sr. Internal Medicine Doctor’s Views
Apollo Hospital Sr. Consultant – Internal Consultant, Dr. S. Chatterjee says “The SC had banned burning Fire Crackers earlier in Delhi. Now, SC has given its go ahead to burn Green Fire Crackers. It is not Green Crackers are free from pollution.
According to the National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), they cause less pollution by 30 percent in contrast to conventional Fire Crackers. Yes, Green Fire Crackers has smaller shell size that leads to emitting less particulate matter and materials used are less hazardous. But, the way pollution is rising again in the Capital City, it is highly advisable to avoid burning even Green Crackers. This would lead to health complications for general public and in particular people suffering from respiratory diseases.”
On Wednesday, the SC turned lenient by contradicting its earlier stand of placing a blanket ban on burning Fire Crackers in Delhi NCR. Given the severity of alarming pollution levels in Delhi NCR, the SC granted permission to allow burning Fire Crackers, aimed to balance public sentiment with environment concerns for three days.
The Top Court presided by Chief Justice of India B.R Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran termed the move a ‘Test Case’ and directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) from 14 October to 25 October.
Air Quality Index in Delhi : 286 - Poor
Delhi has been witnessing poor air quality since last one week. The AQI in Delhi gradually shot to 211 on Tuesday. Yesterday’s AQI was recorded as 268. As per CPCB, AQI between 201 – 300 is classified as poor.
Truth about Green Fire Crackers
Despite, labeled as Green Crackers, the ingredients such as Sulphur, Heavy Metals, Fine Particulate Matter (PM) to the tune of PM 2.5 are still released in the air that could turn the air poisonous and unhealthy to breathe.
CPCB – Air Laboratory Former Head, Dipankar Saha says “A depression over Bay of Bengal has showed movement across Gangetic across the Indo-Gangetic plains allowing suspended pollutants to exacerbate further.”
Haze has already started to form in Delhi NCR along with thick layer of smog visible from far distance.
Delhi CM seen thanking the Top Court while People expressed Resentment
While, Delhi CM was seen expressing gratitude to the Top Court for allowing the petition filed by the Delhi Government to maintain the enthusiasm of people high on Diwali, on the other hand Clean Air Advocacy Organisations showed their deep sarcasm by thanking the CM.
One of the messages on X/Twitter says “Thank you for some great enforcement and prioritising life of all residents living in Delhi NCR. Awesome, eat, breathe, drink fatal PM 2.5 along with Diwali sweets. Well done Madam !”
The SC ruling is facing sharp criticism from both environment activists and people from all walks of life.
A group of Sr. Citizens based in East Delhi reached out to The Revelation today.
They have questioned the Delhi CM and say “Is it impossible to celebrate Diwali in Delhi without Green Crackers ? Madam CM, health of people in Delhi NCR is more important than burning any kind of Fire Crackers. Even if people would burn Green Fire Crackers for three days, many won’t be able to bear the hazardous smoke and may suffocate, fall ill and die. You should have been thoughtful before filing any such a plea before the Top Court. God bless people of Delhi NCR.”
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