On September 12, 2025, the Supreme Court of India stressed that the ban on firecrackers should not be restricted to the National Capital Region (NCR), Delhi, but must extend across the entire country. With the onset of winter and the approach of festivals like Diwali, when air pollution levels spike drastically, the Court underscored the urgent need for a pan-India policy to tackle the growing crisis of polluted air.
Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, along with Justice K. Vinod Chandran, observed that if polluted air has become a national problem, then solutions must apply nationwide. The bench remarked:
“If citizens in NCR are entitled to pollution-free air, why not so for people in other cities? Just because this is the capital city or the Supreme Court is situated here, it should not mean only Delhi deserves clean air.”
Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, the bench noted that air quality management cannot be Delhi-centric. CJI Gavai stressed, “Whatever policy has to be there, it has to be on a pan-India basis. We can’t have special treatment for Delhi because the people of Delhi are elite citizens of this country.”
Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, the amicus curiae in air pollution cases, addressed the misconception that air pollution affects only the elite. She explained that it is actually the daily wage workers, street vendors, and construction laborers who suffer the most, since they are directly exposed and lack the resources to protect themselves.
However, the observations of the Court came in the context of a challenge raised by fireworks traders, who argued that the livelihoods of several families are dependent on this industry. They pointed out that due to the Supreme Court’s orders, many of their licenses valid until 2027-28 are being revoked prematurely. The traders have requested the Court for an urgent hearing on their applications, emphasizing the severe economic impact of a nationwide ban.
The bench has issued notice to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on a plea seeking a nationwide ban on firecrackers. If accepted, this could lead to a uniform policy across India, marking a significant step towards reducing pollution and ensuring a healthy lifestyle.
