'Diwali is incomplete without fireworks': Delhi CM urges Supreme Court to allow green firecrackers

“Diwali is a festival of joy. Without fireworks, it feels incomplete. At least green crackers should be permitted in Delhi,” Gupta said, adding that her government’s appeal balances festive sentiment with environmental responsibility.

The Delhi government will submit a written request to the court, seeking permission for the use of certified green firecrackers while ensuring strict compliance with pollution control norms.

“Diwali is the most significant festival in Indian culture. Keeping in mind the sentiments of millions of residents of Delhi, our government has urged the Supreme Court to allow the use of green firecrackers during the festive period,” the Chief Minister said.

“We fully support measures to protect the environment and will cooperate with any directions issued by the Supreme Court,” she added.

Under the Delhi government’s proposal, only firecrackers certified by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) will be permitted. This, Gupta said, will ensure that toxic emissions remain within prescribed safety limits.

The appeal comes just days after the Supreme Court allowed the manufacturing of green firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR) but maintained a ban on their sale until further notice.

The bench had also called for consultations with stakeholders to revisit the absolute ban on firecracker manufacture and sale in the NCR, observing that a total prohibition may not be “practical or ideal” and that enforcement had been “largely ineffective.”

Under the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Delhi had imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, sale, and bursting of all types of firecrackers, including green variants, as part of its winter pollution strategy.

The prohibition also covered online sales.

At the time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), then in opposition, accused the AAP of “hurting Hindu sentiments” and demanded that people be allowed to celebrate Diwali with eco-friendly options.

Now, with the BJP in power in Delhi, the shift in policy reflects an effort to reconcile cultural tradition with environmental responsibility.

As the Supreme Court prepares to hear the matter on Wednesday, all eyes are on whether Delhi will once again witness the sparkle of ‘green fireworks’ this Diwali.