Our orders breached ‘left and right’, Deepavali was a festival of lights before gunpowder, Supreme Court says in firecrackers case

In a ruling on Thursday (October 29, 2026), the Supreme Court of India expressed frustration that its orders to limit or ban firecrackers during the Deepavali festival had been consistently disregarded. The court emphasized that the right to religious freedom must be balanced with public health and the protection of fundamental rights.

Justice M.M. Sundresh noted that the continuous bursting of firecrackers adversely affects the health of vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, the sick, pregnant women, and disabled individuals.

Justice Sundresh argued that the tradition of firing firecrackers during Deepavali, often referred to as the "festival of lights," may have originated with the use of gunpowder. The court was hearing a case concerning the rising pollution and loud noise from firecrackers leading up to the festival. While acknowledging the public's enthusiasm for festivities, Justice Sundresh stated that a complete ban on firecrackers could have unintended consequences.

Instead, the court urged a balanced approach that encourages the adoption of environmentally friendly, next-generation crackers.

The Supreme Court expressed empathy for law enforcement officers who hesitate to prosecute ordinary citizens for firecracker misuse. The court was not advocating for an outright ban but was instead concerned about enforcing its previous orders. It directed the Environment Ministry, along with the Centre and the Delhi government, to ensure enforcement against sellers of banned or spurious crackers who aim to profit from the festive season.

The court suggested that celebrities be enlisted to promote awareness against firecrackers and reiterated that the solution must come from within the public.