Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) general secretary Bhaiyyaji Joshi on Saturday made a statement on the big debate of firecrackers ban in the National Capital. Speaking to reporters, Joshi said, “All firecrackers do not cause pollution, I think all of us need to take a balanced view.” Joshi’s comment came a day after Supreme Court judges said that they were pained and sad to hear the communal twist which was given to the order. The apex court earlier this week, responding to the petition filed on the backdrop of deadly pollution level, ordered that firecrackers will not be sold in Delhi on Diwali next Thursday. However, those who have already bought firecrackers can still burst them.
“We are pained to hear that some people are trying to give a communal colour to our order. It is sad,” the top court said after rejecting the appeal by traders to modify the order. Traders were of the opinion that they had spent a huge amount on firecracker stocks that are now likely to remain unsold on Diwali.
The judges also said that they welcomed the criticism and objections since people have right to express, but giving it a communal angle was anguishing, they added. “The matter is still pending. This is an experiment which we want to try for this year. We will take a stock of the situation,” a Hindustan Times report quoted the top court as saying.
The SC order has divided public opinion and several have taken to social media in order to express their anger. Among those objecting the order are various political and Bollywood bigwigs including novel writer Chetan Bhagat. The SC directive was on the sidelines of the lethal acrid which forced the authorities to close schools and ban construction activities in Diwali, last November.