Justice B.R. Gavai, the Chief Justice of India, expressed strong reservations against limiting the firecracker ban to Delhi-NCR on Friday. He emphasized that clean air is a fundamental right for all Indian citizens, not just those residing in Delhi. The court’s position is that firecrackers should be prohibited throughout the country, rather than restricting the ban to a single metropolitan area.
CJI’s Rationale: Beyond Delhi’s Borders
“We cannot have different rules for Delhi simply because it’s home to a more affluent population,” the CJI asserted. “If NCR cities deserve clean air, why should others be deprived?” He highlighted the situation in Amritsar, Punjab, where pollution levels often exceed those of Delhi during the winter months. The court’s view is that policies concerning such matters should be applied uniformly across the nation.
Addressing the Concerns of Laborers
Firecracker manufacturers brought to the court’s attention the potential loss of livelihood for numerous families due to the ban. While acknowledging the adverse impact on impoverished laborers, the CJI maintained that resolving the pollution problem demands a nationwide strategy. The court has requested a response from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to address this issue.