In yet another order that would alter an age-old custom, the Supreme Court Tuesday fixed a two-hour time period – from 8 pm to 10 pm – for bursting firecrackers during Deepavali. The order, which has come close on the heels of the apex court’s verdict to allow women in the age group of 10-50 years to enter Sabarimala temple, has triggered a fresh debate, with many voicing concern that ‘the judiciary is intervening too much’ in religious beliefs and practices.
While the Supreme Court is the ultimate legal authority of the country and there can be no second thoughts over following its orders in letter and spirit, traditions and culture of the land should be given importance over other things while delivering such important judgements. Deepavali without crackers is unimaginable and, moreover, production of fireworks is the livelihood of lakhs of people in and around Sivakasi, the crackers headquarters of the country.
They work throughout the year just for the Deepavali day and they will lose their daily bread if crackers are allowed to be burst only for two hours during the festival of lights. With the only solace being the SC ruling out a blanket ban on firecrackers, the apex court, if possible, should revisit and revise its Tuesday verdict, as it would lead to economic hardship to many casual workers employed in the sector. It is true that bursting of firecrackers leads to a spike in pollution, as the air quality dips to ‘very poor’ levels, according to studies. But, instead of such a small two-hour window, regulations can be worked out to bring down the pollution levels by encouraging mass production of ‘safe and green’ crackers.