The Diwali festival will be celebrated on October 20, 2025, but this time there might be good news for children and young people. The central government has appealed to the Supreme Court to allow children to celebrate Diwali with eco-friendly green crackers.
New Delhi: The festival of Diwali will be grandly celebrated on October 20 in various countries around the world, including India. Children particularly enjoy lighting firecrackers during Diwali. However, in recent times, there has been a significant increase in pollution due to firecrackers. Consequently, restrictions and regulations have been imposed on their use.
Now, the central government has made a major appeal to the Supreme Court regarding this matter. The government has requested the Supreme Court to permit children to celebrate Diwali with 'green crackers,' aiming to control pollution while still enjoying the festival.
Government's Demand
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the court to relax the timings for bursting firecrackers during festivals so that children can celebrate Diwali with full joy and enthusiasm. The government stated that green crackers significantly reduce pollution and are environmentally safe. The government has suggested to the court that:
- Permission should be granted to burst firecrackers from 11:45 PM to 12:30 AM on Christmas and New Year's Eve.
- Firecrackers should be allowed for one hour on Gurupurab.
- On other occasions, only green crackers should be used from 8 AM to 8 PM.
- The government's main argument is that children should have the full right to enjoy festivals, but environmental protection must also be ensured.
Supreme Court's Stance
The Supreme Court has currently reserved its order regarding green crackers. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) hinted at approving green crackers and questioned whether there has been any improvement in air pollution between 2018 and 2024. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that pollution levels have remained largely similar. An improvement in AQI was observed only during the lockdown period of COVID-19.
The Ministry of Environment also submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court. It stated that NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute) has a mechanism for the manufacturing and monitoring of green crackers, but a clear monitoring system is not in place.
Green crackers cause less pollution compared to traditional firecrackers. They have lower levels of smoke, chemical elements, and harmful gases, thereby reducing air pollution and adverse health effects. The central government states that these crackers should be prioritized during festivals to balance both environmental protection and children's joy.
