Supreme Court Calls for Balanced Approach to Firecracker Use in Delhi

Supreme Court on Monday said any curb on firecracker use in Delhi must weigh worship traditions against public health. Chief Justice Surya Kant, leading a three‑judge bench, warned that limits should not offend religious feeling but should encourage citizens to choose safer options. Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked whether bursting crackers is truly a religious duty. Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, acting as amicus curiae, highlighted how firecracker smoke harms children, senior citizens and people with health problems. She urged the Commission for Air Quality Management to focus on these medical concerns. The bench cautioned that outright bans could be hard to enforce on the ground. Instead, the court urged awareness campaigns to tell the public which crackers are harmful and which are less so. It suggested reviving traditional customs such as lighting lamps and using sparklers while restricting sale of the most polluting varieties. The next hearing is scheduled for October 15. ## Context The case reflects ongoing debates in India over how to protect air quality during festivals without infringing on cultural practices. It also underscores the role of the CAQM in advising on health‑related air‑pollution policies.