Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged the Supreme Court on Monday to permit the use of green firecrackers during Diwali, arguing that the festival of lights feels "incomplete" without them. Ahead of a formal hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Gupta emphasised balancing cultural traditions with environmental safeguards, stating, "Diwali is a festival of joy. Without fireworks, it feels incomplete. At least green crackers should be permitted in Delhi." The appeal comes as the national capital braces for its annual winter smog crisis, where fireworks exacerbate air quality woes, often pushing the Air Quality Index into the "severe" category. The government's written submission assures strict compliance with pollution norms, highlighting a shift in policy under the BJP-led administration.

Gupta, whose Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) assumed power in Delhi earlier this year following a contentious assembly election, framed the request as a nod to the "sentiments of millions of residents". "Diwali is the most significant festival in Indian culture," she told reporters, pledging full cooperation with the court's directives. Under the proposal, only firecrackers certified by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) would be allowed, ensuring emissions stay within prescribed limits.

This includes low-smoke, barium nitrate-free variants designed to reduce particulate matter by at least 30% compared to traditional ones. The move reflects the BJP's broader electoral promise to revive festive traditions while addressing urban pollution, a perennial challenge in Delhi, where Diwali bursts coincide with crop stubble burning in neighbouring states.

The Supreme Court's review stems from a recent order permitting green firecracker manufacturing in the National Capital Region (NCR) but maintaining a sales ban until further notice. A bench led by Justice Abhay S. Oka observed that a blanket prohibition—imposed by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government—may not be "practical or ideal," citing poor enforcement and unintended black-market proliferation.

The court directed stakeholders, including state governments and environmental bodies, to submit proposals for revising the 2018 ban on all firecracker activities, including online sales. This intervention follows years of judicial oversight, with the apex court progressively refining regulations since 2015 to mitigate the festival's environmental toll, which claims thousands of lives annually through respiratory ailments.

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The policy pivot marks a stark contrast to the AAP's tenure under Arvind Kejriwal, which enforced a total ban on manufacturing, sale, and bursting—even green variants—as part of its aggressive winter action plan. Back then, the BJP, in opposition, decried the measure as an assault on Hindu sentiments, advocating for eco-friendly alternatives. Now in power, the BJP's stance signals an attempt to thread the needle between tradition and sustainability, amid criticism from environmentalists who warn that even green crackers contribute to noise pollution and hazardous waste.

As Delhi's air quality deteriorates—currently at 312 AQI—the court's decision could set precedents for other smog-choked metros like Mumbai and Kolkata. With Diwali on October 20, the hearing's outcome will determine if the city twinkles with certified sparks or remains shrouded in restraint.

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