Supreme Court Calls for Public Awareness Ads Promoting Cracker-Free Diwali, Suggests Involving Virat Kohli

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked what steps had been taken to enforce its orders when the firecracker ban was relaxed last year on a trial basis in Delhi-NCR. The top court also expressed concern that its orders would become “mere mockery” if they are not enforced properly.

The Supreme Court on Thursday said it was not inclined to impose a complete ban on firecrackers but warned authorities that failure to enforce existing restrictions could force it to take a harsher stand later.

Importantly, the Court stressed that the authorities must launch public campaigns through print and television advertisement urging people to celebrate Diwali without crackers. The Bench said celebrities, including cricketer Virat Kohli, can be roped in for the purpose.

“You can take help from celebrated cricketers like Virat Kohli or somebody…,” the Court said. “You can request him to make a small segment that let us make this Diwali as one that is enjoyable. Let us enjoy the spirit of the festival of light.”

A Bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale said its orders regulating the bursting of firecrackers will become a “mockery” if they are not complied with properly on the ground.

“We also understand the sentiment of the general public. Somebody wants to celebrate… Therefore, we are not inclined to impose a complete ban because, again, it will have a spiralling effect. But having said that, please don’t push us to take a harsh stand on it later,” Justice Sundresh said.

The top court told the Solicitor General (SG) that authorities had sought last year to relax the ban on firecrackers during Diwali, but no data had been placed before it on enforcement when it was relaxed last year.

“You asked us to relax the ban last year. We said you can try it for this year. We would like to see the enforcement data from you. What have you done to implement our orders? This Court is flooded with petitions. We hear, we pass orders… There is no point in passing orders unless you really give effect to them on the ground. It becomes a mere mockery then,” the Bench told ASG Aishwarya Bhati.

The Supreme Court was hearing a 2015 plea in which directions have been passed from year to year imposing restrictions over firecrackers in Delhi-NCR since October to January when air quality in these states dips severely.

The top court had earlier banned the sale and use of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR due to alarming levels of air pollution.

However, on Diwali last year, the top court had allowed the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for a limited period of time. It had clarified that the decision to relax the ban was only on a trial basis and subject to certain enforcement and monitoring conditions.

During Thursday’s hearing, the court-appointed amicus curiae told the top court that the authorities concerned have not filed a detailed report on the implementation of its October 15, 2025 order which permitted the sale and bursting of green firecrackers.

She questioned how the court can be asked to relax its earlier order when it had not assessed the impact of last year’s orders permitting the sale of green crackers.

“Now, with no report filed by them for one year, again on the eve of the next festival, they are here again seeking equities and equitable orders from your lordships,” she submitted.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that despite contempt proceedings initiated in the case, the Court’s orders have repeatedly been breached. Citing a CBI status report, he said manufacturers have imported large stocks of barium despite successive orders prohibiting it.

“Orders after orders have been passed by this Court. Every single order has been violated and breached. Contempt petitions have been filed and pursued. They got stocks of barium despite seven bans being imposed by this Court,” he added.

Senior Advocate Sankaranarayanan said air pollution resulting from firecrackers remains in the air for months after they have been burst. He also highlighted concerns about child labour in the firecracker industry, use of toxic material and deaths and injuries caused by fireworks highlighted in the plea filed by the petitioners last year.

Senior Advocate J Sai Deepak, appearing for certain firecracker manufacturers, submitted that a complete ban won’t help as it would fuel smuggling of illegal firecrackers.

“A complete ban does not work. It has resulted in proliferation of black market, Chinese products, unlicensed goods,” Deepak said. “It’s not lungs vs firecrackers. Regulating will work better than that.”

Deepak submitted that authorities can tighten regulation by making licences and sites where crackers are made public. Crackers can be monitored by checking QR codes and violators can have their licences cancelled.

Referring to points raised by the amicus, the Bench said: “You tell us what steps have been taken to implement our orders? Last year they said please relax the ban.”

The Bench added that the Delhi government and police had told the top court last year that they would take steps to enforce the ban if it was relaxed for Diwali.

The Solicitor General told the court that the matter would be looked into by the states and appropriate replies would be filed.

“Why don’t you tell us what steps you have taken to enforce these orders?” the Bench asked.

Referring to submissions by amicus about lack of enforcement last year, the Bench asked Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati what steps were taken by authorities to enforce orders when it relaxed the ban last year on a pilot basis.

Appearing for the Union government and Delhi government, Bhati told the court that pollution levels did rise when firecrackers were allowed to be sold and burst last year. She said the CPCB has filed AQI data but no enforcement data has been placed before the court.

“We have pulled up our socks on all of these areas. We have to file an affidavit,” she said.

The court then said that passing orders would become useless if authorities do not take steps to implement them.

The Court then asked how public can be made aware about celebrating crackers-free Diwals. It added that celebrity roped in for the campaigns and said children should be educated about how to actually celebrate festivals.

“You really have to call all your officers. Please concentrate on these days. Your officers have to see what is happening on the ground. Enforcement is necessary. If you issue challans, cancel licences and then file some cases, things would automatically come down,” the Court said.