India Supreme Court Allows Green Crackers for Diwali in Delhi Despite Toxic Air
As pollution levels in Delhi hit dangerous highs, India’s Supreme Court has partially lifted a long-standing firecracker ban in the National Capital Region — just in time for Diwali.
The court has allowed the sale and use of so-called green crackers, a type of firework that claims to release 20–30% less pollutants than traditional ones. But critics argue that “less toxic” doesn’t mean “safe,” especially when Delhi’s air is already 25–30 times worse than what the World Health Organization considers safe.
Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Chief Justice B.R. Gavai said, “We have to take a balanced approach.” He added that the court cannot compromise environmental concerns, but also cannot ignore public sentiment or the livelihoods of workers in the firecracker injury.
The verdict allows sales over a three-day window through authorized shops only. People will be allowed to burst green crackers in designated areas during fixed hours: one hour in the morning and two hours in the evening. Officials have been told to crack down on illegal sales, and police are expected to patrol to prevent the use of banned fireworks.
The move has triggered a political and cultural debate. Firecrackers are a centuries-old part of Diwali celebrations, and some Hindu groups have long claimed that restrictions on them infringe on religious freedom.
Delhi’s new BJP-led government, now in power after two decades, had earlier pushed for the relaxation. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta welcomed the decision in a post on X, thanking the court for “allowing green-crackers” in the capital. The fireworks industry, which has taken a massive hit since bans were introduced, also sees this as a partial victory.
But environmentalists and health experts are alarmed. With PM2.5 levels in some parts of Delhi crossing 400, even short-term exposure is considered hazardous. Those tiny particles can travel deep into the lungs and have been linked to asthma, lung disease, and heart conditions. And while green crackers might emit less smoke, they’re far from clean.
Despite a firecracker ban in place since 2020, enforcement has been weak. Every year after Diwali, Delhi wakes up to a thick, choking blanket of smog — worsened by firecrackers, stubble burning, vehicle emissions, and slow winter winds. This week, even before the ruling, Delhi’s government had activated Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which bans coal and firewood-based activities and restricts the use of diesel generators. Officials have also floated the possibility of cloud seeding to artificially trigger rain — a last-ditch effort to clear the air.
But with the Supreme Court now giving a green light — even if only to green crackers — many fear this year’s Diwali might end with a toxic morning after, as it often does.
