T he Supreme Court’s Wednesday order allowing green crackers in Delhi was seen by some as a throwback, and others as a setback. After five years of a complete ban on the sale and manufacturing of any firecrackers in the city, the CJI BR Gavai-led bench allowed green firecrackers to be sold and burst from 18 to 21 October.

After hearing the pleas by the Union government, the Delhi government, and manufacturers of firecrackers, the top court decided to maintain a “balance” between festive spirit and health concerns. Allowing for NEERI-certified green crackers, the court said that they could only be burst at specific timings during the day and night, and asked the state authorities to strictly monitor the entry of certified crackers inside the city.

“It is a simple concept—you burn somethi

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