Diwali delight? More like a lung assault

Blanket bans are not always ideal. Yet, when behavioural change proves elusive, they often remain an effective tool - though the Supreme Court seems to think otherwise. On Wednesday, the top court allowed the bursting of green crackers in Delhi and NCR during Oct 18-21 (Diwali is on Oct 20), with caveats: crackers only from 6-8 am and 8-10 pm, sales at designated sites during Oct 15-25, and mandatory CSIR-Neeri-approved crackers with QR codes. The court cited two reasons for its change of heart: industry concerns and smuggling.

Delhi's air is already choking - Grap Stage 1 has been imposed - and public health risks cannot be brushed aside. It's a pity the solicitor general pleaded, 'Let the children celebrate at least for two days,' forgetting that children are the first to gasp when the air turns toxic. Smuggling shows the state's failure. Livelihood concerns should not be a carte blanche to shield the cracker industry, as happened with the bidi sector. Year after year, Diwali enforcement has been lax, while some sections continue to make merry without fear of the law. True, crackers alone do not pollute the air, but they are a significant contributor. Instead of loosening its grip, the court could have asked pressing questions: where are the green crackers, and are they actually green? Experts admit these emit 20-30% less PM than conventional ones - but still release harmful pollutants.

If even green crackers pose health risks, and enforcement is already faltering - with the Delhi government seemingly claiming premature victory through the order - citizens should brace for the inevitable post-Diwali smog. The court's temporary leniency, under the guise of compromise, risks worsening an annual health crisis rather than curbing it decisively.