Firecracker Pollution & Animal Injuries: Mumbai Lawyer Moves NHRC for Stricter Action

Gandhi emphasized that his plea stems not from opposition to Diwali or other cultural festivities, but from a deep concern for the right to life, health, and dignity, while preserving the festival’s essence of light, unity, and compassion.

“Diwali has always symbolized the triumph of light over darkness, dharma over adharma, and knowledge over ignorance. However, the indiscriminate use of firecrackers casts a shadow over this celebration, harming vulnerable citizens, animals, and urban ecosystems,” Gandhi noted.

The representation highlights systemic patterns across India where firecracker-related pollution, noise, and injuries have become a recurring problem. Multiple government and independent monitoring stations consistently record spikes in PM2.5 and PM10 levels immediately after Diwali nights, often elevating air quality indices (AQI) to “very poor” or “severe” categories. Even the Supreme Court-mandated “green crackers” initiative has failed to curb these spikes due to widespread non-compliance and the continued use of uncertified products.

Animal welfare groups and veterinary clinics report substantial distress and injuries among companion animals, strays, and urban wildlife during festivals. In Ahmedabad alone, over 450 animals were injured during recent Diwali celebrations. Urban trees and soil also face chemical contamination and soot deposition, affecting local ecological balance.

The representation cites specific incidents from across the country. In Delhi-NCR, PM2.5 levels rose 5–8 times above permissible limits within 24 hours of Diwali, leading to increased respiratory complaints and hospital admissions. In Gujarat, Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Bhopal, and smaller towns, similar spikes in pollution, animal distress, and firecracker injuries have been documented. Notably, in Bhopal, over 60 children were hospitalized due to carbide-based firecracker explosions, while Bengaluru recorded over 75 injuries, exposing the dangers of unregulated explosive devices.

Gandhi urged the NHRC to exercise its statutory mandate and recommend actionable measures, including: commissioning a comprehensive national study on the impacts of festival-related firecracker use; issuing advisories to states and local authorities to regulate celebrations; enforcing the use of only BIS-certified green crackers; restricting bursting hours; and banning hazardous carbide-based devices. He also called for coordinated efforts to protect animals, urban trees, and public spaces and for mandatory reporting and monitoring of compliance by state authorities.

Citing landmark judgments such as Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar, M.C. Mehta v. Union of India, and Arjun Gopal v. Union of India, the representation highlights the constitutional duty of the state to ensure citizens’ right to clean air, health, and life under Article 21.

Gandhi concluded that preserving Diwali’s spiritual essence requires balancing cultural celebration with public health, environmental protection, and compassion toward all living beings. "The brilliance of any celebration be it Diwali, Christmas, Eid, a wedding, or a public gathering is measured not by the fire it burns, but by the compassion it kindles. When our skies suffocate with smoke, when animals tremble in fear, when trees darken under soot, and when lives are lost to reckless explosions, the light we claim to celebrate turns into its own shadow. This representation is therefore a plea for awakening that the joy of every festival and the spirit of every gathering be expressed in harmony with nature and humanity. To protect Diwali’s soul is to protect the essence of all celebration: the air that carries our prayers, the trees that breathe for us, the animals that trust us, and the right of every being to live in peace beneath the same light," he states.