The Supreme Court’s decision to continue with a ban on fireworks especially those containing barium salts combined with the decision of the Delhi Pollution Board to impose a complete ban on fireworks will mean that it will be a Diwali filled with light but not so much noise and especially in the Delhi NCR region. The decision was met with some consternation among a section who have, on social media, vowed to violate the ban nonetheless, but by and large the order has been well received signalling an important shift in which the people themselves accept that it is in their best interest that fireworks are avoided.
A change in attitudes towards celebrating our festivals is the need of the hour especially since this is the time of the year that coincides with extremely poor air quality in much of north India that is blamed on several factors including stubble burning, polluting industries and others. Many have argued that doing away with fireworks makes very little difference and that the air quality remains bad nonetheless. However, that argument is hollow for several reasons. As a society, no doubt it is important that we need to bring all forms of pollution under control, but not tackling some forms of pollution is no reason to tackle no forms of pollution.
In Goa too there have been calls for a quieter and less polluted Diwali, not so much because we need and deserve a better way to celebrate a festival that means so much more than fireworks that burn up in a few seconds but cost so much. Unfortunately some have managed to make this communal and allege that the manner of celebrating the festival is being targeted by ‘woke’ elements or anti-Hindu elements and they are being victimised for it. Nothing could be further from the truth. The unrestricted use of fireworks makes the air unhealthy for all and not just for those who choose to wilfully disobey the law. Similarly, less use of fireworks will bring better quality air for everyone including those who are cursing the new restrictions under their breath.
One needs to remember that several of the world’s most polluted cities are in India with Delhi topping the list followed by several other cities of north India including Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh where the air quality remains bad for months on end sometimes until winter recedes making life hell not just for those who have respiratory problems but for all equally. One also needs to keep in mind, that if anything, the poor air quality is a matter of global shame, especially for a country like India that is seeking to free its arms and flex its muscles on the global stage.
A problem of this scale needs everyone to come together and pull in the same direction and not bicker in the name of some imaginary victimisation or grievance. After all, the festival of Diwali is about shunning darkness and welcoming the light, to reject evil and embrace good and to keep hate behind and embrace love. Let’s once again pledge to do that at this positive time.
