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| Poison in the Air, Politics in the Way: The Public Pays the Price | | | Lalit Gargg
Festivals are meant to spread happiness; not poison the very air we breathe. Diwali, the festival of lights, symbolises illumination, joy, celebration and goodwill. But when the brilliance of festivities fills the skies with toxic smoke, when children and the elderly struggle to breathe, and when ordinary citizens are forced to yearn for clean air, it becomes imperative to reflect seriously on our festive traditions and collective social responsibilities. The irony is that even an issue as critical to human survival as pollution has become entangled in the smoke of political controversy. When people’s very lives are at stake, viewing such a problem through the narrow lenses of religion, caste or political ideology is not merely unfortunate; it reflects a disturbing lack of social sensitivity.
Actress and environmental activist Dia Mirza recently raised awareness about the air and noise pollution caused by firecrackers. As part of its environment-friendly Diwali campaign, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) released her video message. However, following political controversy, the video was taken down. This naturally raises an important question: How can speaking against pollution become a matter of controversy? How can an artist’s appeal for environmental protection be interpreted as opposition to a religion or a festival? The Bombay High Court’s direction to restore the video sends a powerful message that voices advocating public welfare must not be silenced under political pressure. Environmental protection is neither the exclusive domain of any individual, political party nor religion; it is a shared responsibility of the entire society.
The example of Mumbai further exposes the gravity of the situation. Traditionally, Mumbai has enjoyed relatively better air circulation than Delhi because of its coastal location and sea breezes. Yet, the city is now increasingly grappling with a serious pollution crisis. According to the BMC’s Environment Status Report 2025–26, 13 out of Mumbai’s 14 air-quality monitoring stations recorded annual average PM10 levels exceeding the national permissible limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre. In Chembur and the Bandra-Kurla Complex, the level reached as high as 125 micrograms per cubic metre. These figures are not merely statistics; they raise serious questions about an urban development model in which buildings continue to grow taller while the share of clean air available to citizens keeps shrinking.
It is essential to understand that neither Mumbai nor Delhi can absolve itself of responsibility by placing the entire blame for pollution on Diwali firecrackers. Dust generated at construction sites, accumulated road dust, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, open burning of garbage and inadequate urban planning are among the major contributors. Firecrackers aggravate the pollution crisis during festive periods, but the sources of pollution remain active throughout the year. Therefore, imposing restrictions only around Diwali and turning a blind eye to the problem during the rest of the year is not a solution; it is merely an exhibition of seasonal activism. The fact that 13 monitoring stations in Mumbai have recorded pollution levels above the national standard makes it clear that environmental protection cannot be left to the mercy of sea breezes.
The situation in Delhi and the National Capital Region is even more alarming. With the onset of winter, falling temperatures, slower wind speeds and the accumulation of pollutants in the atmosphere cause air quality to deteriorate rapidly. Residents of Delhi, Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad are compelled to confront this toxic environment year after year. Morning walks, once regarded as a means of maintaining good health, increasingly become a potential health hazard. Children suffer from coughing and respiratory irritation, elderly people experience breathing difficulties, and those with pre-existing health conditions are forced to make repeated visits to hospitals. When the air that should carry the music of life becomes saturated with poison, all claims of development begin to sound hollow.
In this context, the intervention of the Supreme Court is significant. The Court has granted temporary permission in Delhi-NCR for the limited sale and use of certified green firecrackers during Diwali, subject to prescribed timings. For November 7 and 8, the permitted hours are 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thereafter, a complete ban is scheduled to come into effect again from November 9. The Court has also emphasised strict monitoring to prevent violations and to ensure that conventional firecrackers are not illegally marketed under the label of green firecrackers.
But the fundamental question remains: Why do strict judicial orders on paper so often prove ineffective on the ground? The sale of conventional firecrackers disguised as green alternatives, fireworks beyond the permitted hours and the open trade in prohibited materials expose serious weaknesses in the administrative machinery. Merely framing laws is not enough; their impartial and stringent enforcement is equally essential. If violators continue to enjoy political patronage or benefit from administrative indifference, even the directives of constitutional courts will simply disappear into the haze of pollution.
Diwali can be celebrated with equal enthusiasm through limited use of firecrackers, community celebrations and environmentally responsible alternatives. The true spirit of a festival lies not in the intensity of noise, but in the happiness of hearts and the harmony of society. This is not an interference with anyone’s religious freedom; rather, it is an expression of respect for the fundamental right of others to life and good health. The greatest irony is that when an actress like Dia Mirza uses her public platform to promote environmental protection, her message is dragged into a political controversy. On November 3, the Bombay High Court directed the BMC to re-upload her withdrawn video and observed that giving a political or communal colour to an environmental issue was inappropriate. This observation should serve as a wake-up call to our democratic conscience.
What we need today is a collective commitment involving governments, the judiciary, municipal authorities, political parties, the industrial sector, social organisations and ordinary citizens. Dust-control measures must be strictly implemented at construction sites; vehicular emissions must be closely monitored; public transport must be strengthened; the burning of garbage must be prohibited; and industries responsible for pollution must be held accountable. Citizens, too, must act responsibly by avoiding unnecessary use of firecrackers, refraining from burning waste and reducing excessive dependence on private vehicles.
Ultimately, the question is not simply whether firecrackers should be burst during Diwali. The real question is whether we will be able to provide future generations with clean air and a safe environment in which to live. Politics has its own place, just as religion and traditions have their own significance. But no celebration is greater than life, and no tradition can be more important than health. We must remember that pollution does not distinguish between caste, religion, language or political ideology before entering our lungs. The air belongs to everyone, and the crisis threatening it is a shared crisis for all. Let the lamps of Diwali illuminate our homes and courtyards. Let happiness spread and celebrations flourish, but let no one’s breath be plunged into darkness. Let us celebrate the festival of light, not turn it into a festival of pollution. This is the call of the hour and the true, enlightened meaning of a celebration rooted in wisdom, compassion and collective responsibility. |
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