Diwali 2017: Bombay HC says 'No' to firecracker sale in residential areas

India

oi-Anusha

No sales of firecrackers will be allowed in residential areas of Mumbai this Diwali. The Bombay High Court on Tuesday said that cracker shops will not be allowed in residential localities in Mumbai. The ban does not stop bursting of crackers in the city but only the sale of crackers in residential localities.

A day after the Supreme Court banned cracker sales in Delhi-NCR, the Bombay High Court followed suit but the ban will only apply to residential localities. On Monday, the court had refused to give temporary licenses to shops to sell fire crackers. The order of the Apex court on firecrackers has already started a debate across the country and the Bombay High Court's order is only adding to it.

A group of shopkeepers had approached the Bombay High Court seeking temporary license to sell firecrackers in the run-up and during Diwali 2017. The court, however, rejected the plea banning the sale of crackers in makeshift or temporary shops in residential localities.

The Shiv Sena on Tuesday said that the party was against the cracker ban. Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut told the media that the industry had employed hundreds.

"The party is against cracker ban. It is a huge industry that had offered employment to many. We have to spare a thought for the families of those dependent on the industry. Our party opposes the ban," Sanjay Raut said.

The statement came hours after Maharashtra Environment minister and Shiv Sena leader Ramdas Kadam told the media that he was in support of cracker ban. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's chief Raj Thackeray mocked the ban.

"Why are there restrictions only on Hindu festivals? Should we burn crackers on WhatsApp?" asked Raj Thackeray.

OneIndia News