No religion encourages pollution: SC

Noting that no religion encouraged activities that caused pollution, the Supreme Court today directed the Delhi Government to decide within a fortnight on extending the firecracker ban throughout the year.

“Prima facie, we are of the view that no religion encourages any activity that creates pollution. If firecrackers are burnt in this fashion, it also affects the fundamental right to health of citizens,” a Bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka said.

The Bench asked the Delhi Government to take a call, in consultation with all stakeholders, by November 25 on banning firecrackers in the national capital throughout the year. It also asked neighbouring state governments to respond to the issue of banning the manufacture, sale, storage and bursting of firecrackers in their areas.

The Bench pulled up the Delhi Police for failing to comprehensively implement the firecracker ban in the national capital, calling it an “eyewash”. It asked the Delhi Police Commissioner to form a special cell to ensure effective implementation of the ban and file a personal affidavit putting on record the steps taken to enforce it.

“We find that implementation of the ban order has not been taken seriously by the Delhi Police. There is nothing filed in the affidavit that an order imposing the ban was communicated to those who have been permitted to manufacture, store and sell firecrackers. The first thing the Delhi Police ought to have done was to inform the licence-holders and others to forthwith stop the sale of firecrackers,” said the Bench.