Supreme Court emphasized that Article 21 includes right to live in a pollution-free environment
Accordingly the supreme court on monday said that no religion promotes any activity which promotes pollution or compromises with health of people, and directed all states in the National capital Region (NCR) to inform it about the steps taken by them to ensure pollution is being at minimal. The court also said that the order directing the implementation of a ban on firecrackers was not taken seriously by the delhi Police. The court’s direction came while it was hearing a matter on the air quality in the National capital Territory (NCT) of delhi during diwali 2024, and instances of stubble burning/farm fires in punjab and haryana towards the end of october and the first week of November.Perhaps the matter, concerning compliance and other varied issues, was being heard by a bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih. The court said in its order “As regards to the ban on firecrackers, an affidavit has been filed by the special secretary, environment department, the government of NCT of Delhi. He has highlighted the october 14 order of complete firecrackers ban from the mentioned date until january 1, 2025". “We direct the Commissioner of police, delhi, to immediately take action of informing all concerned about the said ban and ensure that no license holder sells or manufacturer’s firecrackers. We direct the commissioner to form a special cell to ensure the effective implementation of a ban on firecrackers."Moreover the top court said in its order “We direct the government to decide by november 25. We direct the police Commissioner to file a personal affidavit putting on record the steps taken by them to enforce the ban. We direct all NCR states to come up before us and inform us about the steps taken by them to ensure pollution is being at minimal”.