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SC Seeks Middle Ground on Firecracker Ban: No Total Prohibition, No 24-Hour Use
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News18•30-09-2026, 15:00
SC Seeks Middle Ground on Firecracker Ban: No Total Prohibition, No 24-Hour Use
- •The Supreme Court stated it would neither impose a complete ban on firecrackers nor allow their use for 24 hours, seeking a middle ground.
- •A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale emphasized the need to specify hours for firecracker use to balance sentiments and public health.
- •Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati suggested considering limited and conditional relaxation for specified 'next-generation joined green crackers' as recommended by CSIR-NEERI.
- •These green crackers, developed with CSIR-NEERI, are designed with reduced barium salts to lower emissions and must comply with noise, emission, and safety requirements.
- •The Supreme Court will further consider the issue of barium use in firecrackers on October 15, following last year's conditional permission for green crackers during Diwali.
Key Questions Answered
The Supreme Court stated that it will neither impose a complete prohibition on firecrackers nor allow round-the-clock fireworks, noting that a total ban would hurt sentiments while all-day fireworks would severely impact health and living beings.
The bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale indicated that a middle ground must be found by specifying particular hours during which firecrackers can be used.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati submitted a note suggesting limited relaxation for next-generation joined green crackers recommended by CSIR-NEERI, which are designed with reduced barium salts to lower emissions and meet specific noise and safety standards.