The state’s ban on firecrackers will only be in effect this year, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Telangana Superior Court ordered the state government to ban the use and sale of firecrackers in Telangana this year. The High Court court, consisting of Chief Justice Raghavendra Chauhan and Justice Vijaya Sen, was hearing a public interest litigation brought by Indira Prakash Puligilla, a High Court attorney. The matter was brought to a hearing on Thursday. The petition called for a ban on firecrackers for the benefit of the public, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking to TNM, the petitioner said: “I am very pleased that the honorable Superior Court has considered the statement. The Telangana Superior Court ordered the state government to ban firecrackers and also ensure that all stores that sell firecrackers close immediately. This is applicable only for this year. States like Rajasthan, Delhi and Orissa have already banned firecrackers. The high court has also refused to interfere with the Calcutta High Court’s ban on crackers. “
The Telangana government has been ordered to report to the High Court on the steps taken to enforce this ban. The court also mentioned that the ban should be widely publicized.
Ashish Naredi, Senior Associate of the Comprehensive Research Center, who is also a citizen of Hyderabad, has always expressed his support for the use of firecrackers. Feel that the firecrackers have become a scapegoat for a crime they have not committed. He said: “An IIT report and several other reports have shown no role for cookies in contamination. The Supreme Court-appointed committee also says that pollution during Diwali has no adverse impact on human health. The reason for this prohibition is not understood. Because the court has no data to prove the role of crackers in pollution, it has used the precautionary principle to ban them. However, the study finds that the application of this principle is flawed. Therefore, this prohibition is unjustified. “
A group of Hyderabad mothers have been trying to convince people not to blow up firecrackers this Diwali to safeguard children’s health. These mothers are part of a pan-Indian movement called Warrior Moms, which recently launched the #DhoomDhamakaWithoutPatakha campaign. According to them, their concern is not only studies that have even been accepted by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) showing a correlation between COVID-19-related mortality and air pollution, but also a report published on Thursday for the Awaaz. Foundation that revealed the presence of harmful and toxic chemicals present in firecrackers.
Hyderabad is a perfectly livable city. The air quality index is increasing in Hyderabad. If we do not take the necessary measures now, the current situation in Delhi will be in full view. In COVID-19, if it is important to have a lockdown, it is also important to ban firecrackers. The Telangana High Court order is a victory for all of Hyderabad. People must make this decision in the right spirit, ”said Kaajal Maheshwari, a Warrior Moms member and also a concerned mother.
Speaking of those who feel that vehicles cause much more pollution on a daily basis compared to the day cookies explode, Sriparna, an animal rights activist and member of Warrior Moms said: “We must all remember that every action counts. We all have the option of not adding toxins to the air that we have already polluted. A festival is for everyone, it should not be a source of misery for the vulnerable, both humans and animals ”.
Dr. Arvind Kumar of the Lung Care Foundation and Doctors for Clean Air said that in our zeal to hold a festival, we should not take our lungs for granted. “The outbreak of firecrackers leads to a substantial increase in PM 2.5 levels. It is a very serious health hazard, not only for humans, but also for animals and birds. We simply cannot afford to lose our guard, now that the country is reeling under the attack of COVID-19, which still has no cure or vaccine, “he said, adding that air pollution can increase the chances of COVID- 19 dead.
Sumaira Abdulali, coordinator of the Mumbai-based Awaaz Foundation, said that this year her organization in Mumbai tried several cookies. These cookies which are also commonly sold in India contain toxic chemicals like sulfur, potassium and barium, which are listed in the Dangerous Chemicals Rules. She said: “The smoke that is released when these firecrackers are exploded contains these chemicals and these toxic chemicals can independently cause serious adverse health impacts, especially respiratory health and worsen the effects of other respiratory diseases such as COVID. -19 “.
READ: Despite the pandemic, Hyderabad’s Numaish trade shows sell 350 booth spaces
.
