SC modifies time limit for bursting firecrackers in Southern States

The Supreme Court today modified its order by which it had imposed a time limit for bursting firecrackers during Diwali, allowing Tamil Nadu and other Southern States to set their own time period..The Supreme Court, however, clarified that the time period cannot exceed two hours a day. The Bench of Justice AK Sikri and Justice Ashok Bhushan said,.“The time not to exceed two hours in a day.”.The Supreme Court had earlier imposed a time restriction on bursting of crackers and had allowed the activity to take place only between 8pm to 10pm..The Tamil Nadu government had filed an application before the Supreme Court seeking a direction to allow the people of the State to burst firecrackers for two hours in the morning as well, between 4:30 AM and 6:30 AM..The Court indicated its willingness to modify its order in this regard, but asserted that while the time period can be broken up during the day, the total time allowed for bursting crackers cannot exceed two hours..The Court was also urged to consider the same for other States as well, and to consider the celebrations by people from Tamil Nadu living in North Indian States. In response, the Bench stated that those living in North India should celebrate the way North Indians, do with Justice AK Sikri making a remark in jest,.“When you live in North India you should celebrate the way Diwali is celebrated in North India and when you are in South India, celebrate according to the practice there. As they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.“.The modified order is applicable to Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and other Southern States, the Court said. Further, the Court also clarified that the direction regarding green crackers is applicable only for Delhi-NCR..However, the Court has stated that the final order in the applications filed seeking various clarifications on the directions passed by the Court regarding firecrackers will be passed on Wednesday, October 31.