Diwali 2026: Bombay HC asks Maharashtra govt to consider applicability of SC's firecracker timings

The Bombay High Court has asked the Maharashtra government to consider the applicability of the Supreme Courts directions on regulated timings for bursting firecrackers during Diwali to prevent severe environmental and health hazards in the cityIn a 13page order issued after taking suo motu note of the removal of a video featuring actor Dia Mirza on Diwali by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC a bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale referred to a set of directions issued by the Supreme Court on October 29 in the context of high pollution levels prevailing in the DelhiNCR region during the festive seasonThe High Court order which was made available on Wednesday said the court was of the opinion that it would be appropriate for the state government and other authorities including the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board the BMC and the Police Department to consider these directions particularly those concerning the timings for bursting firecrackersThe Supreme Court had directed that the bursting of approved green crackers during Diwali be restricted to specific time windows between 6 am and 7 am and 8 pm and 10 pm in the National Capital Region NCRIn our opinion it would be appropriate for the State Government and the concerned authorities in Maharashtra to consider the applicability and implementation of the said directions in the State having regard to the prevailing local conditions the court saidThe apex court had recently underscored that while Diwali is a joyous national festival celebrated across communities the unregulated bursting of firecrackers poses severe environmental and health hazards It can trigger sharp spikes in the Air Quality Index AQI and generate microscopic particulate matter PM that remains trapped in the atmosphere for days the Supreme Court had saidIn the same order the High Court termed the deletion of actor Mirzas social media awareness message against firecrackers most unfortunate and observed that there was no room for factionalism or individualism when public health and environmental initiatives were undertaken in pursuance of court ordersThe bench lauded Mirza and other prominent public figures including Madhuri Dixit Nishigandha Wad Ajinkya Rahane Harshada Khanwilkar Swapnil Joshi and Kushal Badrike for voluntarily stepping forward without remuneration to support the public health and environmental campaignWhile the hearing took place on Tuesday the BMC had still not uploaded the video of the actress as of WednesdayThe High Court held that it would be ideal and eminently desirable for the municipal corporation to restore the deleted post on its official social media handles emphasising that Mumbais rich cultural heritage survives on the spirit of togethernessTaking serious note of the incident in which Mirzas message was singled out and taken down from the municipal bodys social media page the bench remarked that such reactions appeared to have overlooked the overarching intent object and solemnity of the courts orders aimed at curbing air and noise pollutionThere can be no scope or justification for such reactions of a few individuals particularly when such reactions are ex facie against the highest constitutional principles of secularism which are paramount and to be adhered to by every citizen the bench heldSounding a note of caution to public authorities and the state machinery the court emphasised that every official action must be guided solely by the objective of nurturing goodwill and respecting every member of the community irrespective of caste community or religionIt is essential to foster an environment of fraternity and mutual respect while recognising that the celebration of any festival is a constitutional right of every citizen the court observed citing Supreme Court precedents that no individual ought to be isolated from celebrationsWhile reiterating its appreciation for the municipal administrations antipollution measures the court said restoring the deleted awareness videos would align with constitutional norms and close the chapter on a positive noteThe High Court hearing came after Mirzas video sparked a political row leading the BMC to selectively remove her clip from social media following Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satams objection and Mayor Ritu Tawdes comments labelling her antiHinduWhile her clip urging people to avoid air and noise pollution was pulled down campaign videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad as well as cricketer Ajinkya Rahane remained on the BMCs X and Instagram handlesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever