Green Crackers for Diwali: Delhi Minister Urges Responsibility Amid Political Row
Delhi Minister Ashish Sood welcomes the SC's decision on green crackers for Diwali, while AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj raises concerns over timing and fraud.
Following a landmark decision by the Supreme Court, Delhi Minister Ashish Sood has called upon the residents of the national capital to celebrate Diwali with joy but with a deep sense of responsibility toward the environment. The appeal comes after the apex court granted permission for the use of green crackers Delhi Diwali celebrations, providing a brief window for citizens to follow traditional customs without completely disregarding ecological concerns.
Minister Welcomes SC Decision
Reacting to the court's order, Minister Ashish Sood congratulated the people of Delhi, emphasizing that the government aims to balance cultural sentiments with environmental protection. He noted that the administration has always supported the continuation of festivals and programs, provided they do not cause undue harm to the surroundings.
"It is also our responsibility as citizens of Delhi to ensure that everyone celebrates Diwali responsibly in accordance with the Supreme Court's decision," Sood stated. He further added that the essence of the festival lies in celebrating happiness while remaining mindful of social and environmental concerns.
The Supreme Court's Specific Timeline
The Supreme Court has laid out a strict schedule for the use of green firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region to manage the impact on air quality:
- Permission for use: From November 4 to November 6.
- Bursting windows: On November 7 and 8, crackers may only be burst between 6:00 am and 7:00 am, and between 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm.
AAP Chief Raises Alarms Over 'Last Minute' Order
While the Minister welcomed the move, Delhi AAP chief Saurabh Bharadwaj expressed strong skepticism regarding the timing and implementation of the order. Bharadwaj questioned why the Supreme Court waited until the final moments to issue the permission, labeling the move as "mismanagement."
Concerns Over Authenticity and Fraud
Bharadwaj raised critical questions about the supply chain of these crackers, wondering if manufacturers had prior knowledge of the ruling. He expressed fear that regular, polluting firecrackers might simply be relabeled as "green crackers" to deceive consumers and authorities.
The AAP leader also pointed toward past irregularities, alleging a history of corruption where police personnel reportedly accepted bribes to allow the sale of banned crackers under the guise of them being green.
Allegations of Systemic Collusion
Taking his criticism further, Bharadwaj alleged a conspiracy involving both the Central and Delhi governments. He claimed that in previous instances, air quality index (AQI) monitoring stations were shut down overnight to hide the actual levels of pollution resulting from illegal firecracker use.
Critiquing the current state of affairs, Bharadwaj lamented the situation by stating, "Dilliwaale Ram bharose hain," suggesting that the citizens of Delhi are left to their own fate amidst this administrative chaos.