November 11, 2020 11:53:36 am
The people of West Bengal are preparing to celebrate Diwali, Chhat puja and Jagadhatri puja, among other festivals. (Photo / File Express)
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court rejected a petition challenging the Calcutta High Court’s ban on firecrackers during the upcoming festival season. A bench of judges DY Chandrachud and Indira Banerjee said they understood that the festivals were important, but “we are in a situation in which life itself is in danger.”
“We understand that these festivals are important … We are in a situation where life itself is in danger … There can be no greater value than the preservation of life itself,” Judge Chandrachud said.
SC rejects the guilty plea that challenges the HC Calcutta order against the ban on firecrackers. Judge DY Chandrachud: “We understand that these festivals are important… We are in a situation where
life itself is a danger … there can be no higher values than the preservation of life itself @IndianExpress– Ananthakrishnan G (@axidentaljourno) November 11, 2020
Last week, the HC had ordered a total ban on firecrackers across the state citing health reasons and Covid-19. He refused to allow even the two-hour window to blow up, a warning previously allowed by the supreme court.
On Tuesday, the HC division bench, made up of judges Sanjib Banerjee and Arijit Banerjee, ordered the West Bengal government to ensure strict enforcement of its ban. It also asked the State for a report on compliance with its order.
People in the state are preparing to celebrate Diwali, Chhat puja, and Jagadhatri puja, among other festivals.
Various statesincluding Rajasthan, Karnataka, Haryana and Delhi have banned firecrackers ahead of the holiday season for fear of adverse impact on the current Covid-19 situation. The ban in the states is intended to rule out any potential risk of spreading the virus or create hardship for those who have already been battling the disease.
Read also | DMK MP urges Center to lift ‘shocking’ ban on firecrackers, says they will not harm the environment or worsen Covid-19
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