The Supreme Court’s decision permitting the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR ahead of Diwali has sparked a wave of political reactions and public debate. While leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government welcomed the ruling as a “balanced approach” between tradition and environmental protection, critics expressed concern over its potential to worsen Delhi’s already fragile air quality. Among those voicing skepticism was Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Mahua Moitra, who took to social media to deliver a pointed remark on Delhi’s pollution woes and public choices.

Supreme Court’s ‘Green Firecracker’ Decision

On Wednesday, a Supreme Court bench allowed the sale and use of green firecrackers across Delhi and adjoining areas between October 18 and 20. The Court, while acknowledging concerns about rising pollution, said the ruling was an attempt to strike a “balance” between citizens’ right to celebrate religious festivals and the state’s responsibility to safeguard public health.

The permitted time slots are strictly regulated: from 6–7 am and 8–10 pm, allowing residents limited windows to celebrate. The Court also reiterated that only certified green firecrackers—which produce less smoke and particulate matter than traditional ones—are allowed.

Leaders from the BJP-led Delhi administration hailed the verdict as a long-awaited reprieve for those who view firecrackers as an essential part of Diwali festivities.

Mahua Moitra’s Sharp Reaction

Reacting to the development, TMC leader Mahua Moitra used her official X account to deliver a pointed critique, arguing that Delhiites had little room to complain about deteriorating air quality now that the elected government had secured the return of crackers.

“People of Delhi wanted this govt. The Govt wanted crackers to return. Everyone got what they wanted. Please let’s not waste any time this year moaning about air quality,” Moitra wrote.

Her comment—part sarcasm, part resignation—highlighted the tension between public demand for unrestricted celebration and collective responsibility toward environmental protection. Moitra’s statement drew wide attention online, with supporters praising her for “speaking bluntly,” while detractors accused her of politicising a festive issue.

BJP Leaders Hail the Ruling

Reacting to the Supreme Court’s order, Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta thanked the bench “on behalf of the people of Delhi,” saying that the decision respected the “sentiments of crores of people” whose Diwali celebrations would have felt incomplete without fireworks.

“Feelings of crores of people are associated with Diwali, and the celebrations would have been incomplete without the lifting of the ban on firecrackers,” Gupta said while speaking to reporters in Bihar’s Lakhisarai. “We will be mindful of the environment as well. It is our responsibility to take care of the environment and at the same time protect our culture.”

Delhi Public Works Department (PWD) minister Parvesh Verma also welcomed the ruling, saying the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government had previously turned firecracker use into a “crime.”

“Earlier, bursting crackers used to feel like an offence. This decision restores the people’s right to celebrate freely,” Verma said, taking a direct dig at former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, whose administration had enforced a complete ban on firecrackers for several years.

Environment Minister’s Appeal

Delhi’s environment minister, Manjinder Singh, also addressed a press conference soon after the judgment. While welcoming the Court’s decision, Singh emphasised that manufacturers and traders must ensure that only approved green firecrackers reach the markets.

“Manufacturers must ensure that no prohibited firecrackers enter Delhi-NCR markets. Residents should celebrate responsibly and use only green firecrackers,” Singh said, calling on the public to strike a balance between joy and environmental responsibility.

Pollution Concerns Loom

The Supreme Court’s decision reignites a longstanding debate that surfaces every year as Diwali approaches: the clash between tradition and environmental health. Over the past decade, Delhi-NCR has regularly witnessed toxic smog and hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) levels in the days following the festival.

Experts have long noted that while firecrackers are not the sole cause of Delhi’s pollution, they sharply worsen air quality when combined with seasonal factors such as low wind speed, atmospheric inversion, and stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana.

During Diwali week, the AQI often plunges into the “severe” category, crossing 400 and sometimes reaching beyond 500 in certain areas, causing health emergencies and forcing schools to close. Environmentalists fear that even limited firecracker use could further strain the city’s already burdened air.

“Green firecrackers may emit 30% less pollution, but their widespread use during a narrow time frame will still significantly impact the city’s air quality,” said an environmental researcher from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “This decision risks undoing years of efforts to sensitise people about the health costs of such celebrations.”

Tradition Versus Environment

Supporters of the Court’s decision argue that the ruling respects India’s cultural and religious sentiments, particularly during Diwali, which symbolises the triumph of light over darkness. “A complete ban alienates communities,” said a Delhi resident reacting to the news. “Controlled celebration with green crackers is a fair compromise.”

Critics, however, say the notion of “green firecrackers” offers only a symbolic solution and distracts from the larger issue of accountability. “There is no such thing as a fully eco-friendly firecracker. They still release harmful gases and fine particles that remain in the air for days,” said an environmental activist from Gurugram.

Political Undertones

The decision also carries political undertones. The BJP-led administration in Delhi has positioned itself as responsive to cultural sentiments, contrasting its approach with that of the previous AAP government, which had adopted a stricter environmental stance.

Mahua Moitra’s comment, while directed broadly, also underscores a deeper critique of governance and voter responsibility. By suggesting that citizens cannot “moan” about pollution after electing a government that prioritised firecrackers, she pointed to what many call the “democratic paradox”—the tension between individual choice and collective consequence.

Political analysts note that the issue of firecrackers has evolved into a symbolic flashpoint in India’s cultural politics, representing not just environmental policy but competing narratives of faith, freedom, and state regulation.

The Road Ahead

As Delhi braces for Diwali, authorities are expected to step up monitoring to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court’s guidelines. Enforcement, however, has historically been a challenge, with illegal firecrackers entering markets and citizens violating time restrictions.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has said it will coordinate with local police and municipal bodies to curb violations. Air quality monitoring stations have already reported a steady decline in air quality as stubble-burning season begins.

The government, while celebrating the “restoration of festive freedom,” faces the daunting task of maintaining air quality levels during one of the most polluted months of the year.

As Moitra’s remark implied, Delhi now faces a collective test — whether its residents can enjoy tradition responsibly, or whether the annual post-Diwali smog will once again serve as a grim reminder of the cost of unchecked celebration.