Diwali 2017: Bombay HC bans sale of firecrackers in Mumbai’s residential areas

A day after the Supreme Court imposed a blanket ban on the sale of crackers in Delhi-NCR, the Bombay High Court imposed a similar ban during Diwali in the residential areas of Mumbai city on Tuesday.

Earlier today, the HC was hearing the plea of a group of shopkeepers who had approached the court seeking temporary licenses to sell crackers during the Hindu festival.

According to reports, the HC rejected their plea and ordered the cancellation of temporary licenses that had already been given to shopkeepers who sell crackers in residential areas.

It also asked to reduce the number of licenses issued to those who do not sell in residential areas by 50 percent.

The HC order, however, does not stop anyone from bursting firecrackers in the city.

The decision comes a day after the Supreme Court’s ruling banning the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR till November 1. The ruling left the country divided, with a number of arguments being made both in favour of and against the SC order.

During the debate, some welcomed the ban for environmental reasons, while others criticised the court for essentially telling people how to celebrate their festival.

Even politicians were divided on the ban. Maharashtra Environment minister and Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam, for one, told media today that he would approach the CM for a similar ban in the state. The party, however, was against the ban.

“The party is against cracker ban. It is a huge industry that had offered employment to many. We have to spare a thought for the families of those dependent on the industry. Our party opposes the ban,” said Sena MP Sanjay Raut.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray also slammed the SC order and mocked the ban by asking if people should “burst crackers on WhatsApp”.