From The Hindu · Krishnadas Rajagopal · · 2m
Supreme Court says firecracker orders ignored year after year
India's top court says its rulings on Deepavali firecrackers are breached constantly, rejects a complete ban but demands enforcement against illegal sellers.
In brief
India's top court says its rulings on Deepavali firecrackers are breached constantly, rejects a complete ban but demands enforcement against illegal sellers. The Supreme Court said its orders to curb firecrackers during Deepavali are violated repeatedly, rejected a complete ban, and ordered the Centre and Delhi…
Court says orders breached repeatedly
The Supreme Court said on October 29, 2026 that its year-after-year orders to curb and ban firecrackers during Deepavali have been violated left and right.
“Our orders are breached left and right.”
Justices cite health toll on vulnerable
Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale said the incessant bursting of firecrackers takes a toll on children, the aged, the sick, pregnant women, and specially-abled persons.
Deepavali is festival of lights, not noise
Justice Sundresh reminded that Deepavali is called the festival of lights. The problem might have started with gunpowder, the judge said.
Court balances celebration with public health
Justice Sundresh said the court understands public sentiments and that celebrations boost morale, but the right to religious freedom is subject to public health and protection of fundamental rights.
No complete ban, but enforcement needed
The court rejected a complete ban, saying it may have a spiralling effect. But it ordered the Centre and Delhi government to enforce rules against sellers of spurious and banned crackers.
“That may have a spiralling effect. But having said that, please do not push us to take harsh actions.”
Court demands enforcement data from officers
Justice Sundresh told Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati that officers must forget personal celebrations and go out to see what is happening on the ground, and show enforcement data.
“Your officers will have to forget their personal celebrations. They have to go out and see what is happening on the ground.”
Court proposes celebrity awareness campaign
The court proposed that the government take help from celebrities like cricketer Virat Kohli to spread awareness against firecrackers, saying change must come from within the people.
Green crackers permitted with conditions
In October 2025, the apex court had permitted the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during Deepavali with conditions, confining use to specific hours on the festival day and its eve.
Court to rule on enforcement measures soon
The court agreed to pronounce orders in a couple of days and asked the government to file an affidavit on preventive measures taken so far against firecracker pollution.
What it means
The Supreme Court said its orders to curb firecrackers during Deepavali are violated repeatedly, rejected a complete ban, and ordered the Centre and Delhi government to enforce rules against sellers of banned crackers.
