Abdurrazzakrazu at 05:49, 27 September 2025

2025-09-27T05:49:01Z

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{{short description|Laws on use of firecrackers}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
[[File:Crackers vishu 5.jpg|thumb|Firecracker]]
[[File:Firecracker shop on Diwali.jpg|thumb|Firecracker shop on Diwali]]

A '''[[firecracker]]''' ('''cracker''', '''noise maker''', '''banger''',<ref>{{cite book|last1=Miller|first1=John|title=The Essential Lingo Dictionary: of Australian words and phrases|date=June 2015|publisher=Exisle Publishing|isbn=9781775592266|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=84VjCAAAQBAJ&q=bunger+firecracker&pg=PA27|access-date=May 29, 2017}}</ref>) is a small [[explosive]] device primarily designed to produce a large amount of noise, especially in the form of a loud bang, usually for celebration or entertainment. They have fuses, and are wrapped in a heavy paper casing to contain the explosive compound. Firecrackers, along with [[fireworks]], originated in [[China]]. They are easily available in India and are used to mark a celebratory event. Anyone 18 and over can buy them without a license if allowed by the local laws.

[[Diwali]] fireworks are a family event in many parts of India.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/Til-oil-bath-marks-Chhoti-Diwali-celebrations/articleshow/25147777.cms | archive-url=https://archive.today/20131205212502/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-03/kanpur/43627803_1_diwali-eve-celebrations-bath | url-status=live | archive-date=5 December 2013 | newspaper=[[The Times of India]] | title=Til oil bath marks Chhoti Diwali celebrations | date=3 November 2013}}</ref> People light up fireworks near their homes and in streets. Additionally, cities and communities have community fireworks.

== History ==
This custom may have begun on the Indian subcontinent during 15th century when gunpowder started being utilised in Indian warfare following the [[Muslim conquests in the Indian subcontinent|Islamic conquest of the Indian subcontinent]].<ref name="IEHistory">{{cite news |title=A brief and crackling history of fireworks in India |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/a-crackling-history-of-fireworks-in-india-4890178/ |access-date=17 November 2020 |work=The Indian Express |date=14 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

India's first fireworks factory was established in Calcutta during the 19th century.
The founder was a man named Gopal Mahindram. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/research/a-crackling-history-of-fireworks-in-india-4890178/|title=A brief and crackling history of fireworks in India|work=The Indian Express|date=14 November 2020|access-date=2021-12-18}}</ref>

== Pollution concerns ==
In October and November, farmers from [[Punjab]] and [[Haryana]] [[Stubble burning#India|burn stubble]] and other agricultural waste and the weather tends not to be windy, so Delhi's air pollution usually increases, which has been a major environmental problem since 2002.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|agency=Reuters|date=15 November 2020|title=Northern India chokes on toxic smog day after Diwali festival|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/15/india/toxic-smog-diwali-intl/index.html|access-date=15 November 2020|work=CNN}}</ref> Toxic smog generated during the burning of the firecrackers during Diwali festival can worsen this pollution.

== Ban on firecrackers ==
In October 2017, the Supreme Court banned firecrackers in Delhi, as a result of which the industry said it faced losses of Rs 1,000-crore and consequently layoffs.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-ban-on-firecrackers-industry-stares-at-rs-1-000-crore-loss-layoffs/story-zctMTeZ16DaPf4O5DWggJI.html|title=SC ban on firecrackers: Industry stares at Rs 1,000-crore loss, layoffs|date=2017-10-09|work=hindustantimes.com/|access-date=2017-10-09|language=en}}</ref>

After India's [[National Green Tribunal]] (NGT) ordered a ban in the [[National Capital Region (India)|NCR]] region on the sale and use of crackers in 2020, the [[Council for Scientific and Industrial Research]] (CSIR) developed "green crackers" that used less polluting raw materials. Several states in India have either banned firecrackers or limited the time, noise level and type (mandatory use of less polluting firecrackers) that can be used.<ref name=htcrack1/> Nonetheless, many firecrackers were used to celebrate the Diwali holiday in 2020, immediately after which Delhi's air pollution was over 9 times the level that the [[World Health Organization]] considers safe.<ref name=":0" />

Researchers at [[Edward & Cynthia Institute of Public Health]] put out a working paper<ref>{{Cite web |last=ECIPH |date=2023-08-02 |title=India must ban firecrackers in the year of G20 Presidency & build a landmark contribution to climate action and COP28 |url=https://eciph.in/india-must-ban-firecrackers-in-the-year-of-g20-presidency-build-a-landmark-contribution-to-climate-action-and-cop28/ |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=Edward & Cynthia Institute of Public Health |language=en-US}}</ref> which spoke about the hazards of firecrackers in Mangalore and parts of the country and called for an immediate regulation of hours of bursting and eventual phase out with a full ban.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ECIPH |date=2023-10-05 |title=Health experts seek ban on firecrackers across all festivals, occasions in Karnataka |url=https://eciph.in/health-experts-seek-ban-on-firecrackers-across-all-festivals-occasions-in-karnataka/ |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=Edward & Cynthia Institute of Public Health |language=en-US}}</ref>

Aaratrika Bhaumik mentions the ban put in place by the [[Calcutta High Court]] on firecrackers (green firecrackers included) throughout the state of [[West Bengal]] for the 2021 [[Diwali]] and [[Kali Puja]] festivities. The ban extends to all remaining festivals in the year, such as [[Chhath Puja]], [[Guru Nanak Jayanti]], [[Diwali]], [[Dusshera|Dasera]], [[Christmas]] and the New Year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bhaumik|first=Aaratrika|date=2021-10-29|title=Calcutta High Court Bans Firecrackers In West Bengal During Diwali & Other Festivals|url=https://www.livelaw.in/top-stories/calcutta-high-court-bans-firecrackers-west-bengal-during-diwali-other-festivals-184600|access-date=2021-10-29|website=www.livelaw.in|language=en}}</ref>

=== Green or environment friendly firecracker===
{{anchor | Green | Green cracker | Green firecracker | Environment friendly firecracker }}
After India's [[National Green Tribunal]] (NGT) enacted a ban on the sale and use of crackers on Diwali festival in 2020, the [[Council for Scientific and Industrial Research]] (CSIR) developed green crackers made from cleaner raw materials which reduce emissions by suppressing the production of dust; their emissions are 30% lower and are also of reduced loudness at 110-125 decibels instead of the more than 160 decibels of traditional firecrackers. However, green crackers still contain harmful pollutants such as aluminium, barium, potassium nitrate and carbon.<ref name=htcrack1>{{cite news |title=What are green firecrackers? All you need to know |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-are-green-firecrackers-all-you-need-to-know/story-dk4fuHpeZPp8nAOZWR6VOI.html |access-date=21 October 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=13 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2022 appeal in Supreme Court ===
The [[Delhi government]] had decided to stop the production, storage, sale, and use of all types of firecrackers to reduce the rising levels of pollution in Delhi. In September 2022, [[Manoj Tiwari (Delhi politician)|Manoj Tiwari]], a Member of Parliament from the BJP moved the Supreme Court against the Delhi government. Tiwari said that that freedom of religion cannot be taken away under the pretext of the right to life.<ref>{{cite news |title=BJP MP Manoj Tiwari Moves SC Against AAP Govt's Decision To Ban Firecrackers In Delhi |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/bjp-mp-manoj-tiwari-moves-sc-against-aap-govt-s-decision-to-ban-firecrackers-in-delhi-news-224887 |access-date=21 October 2022 |work=www.outlookindia.com |date=21 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Supreme Court refused to provide an early hearing for the petition and dismissed the plea saying "Let People Breathe Clean Air".<ref>{{cite news |title=No urgent SC hearing on Delhi cracker ban; 'Let people breathe, spend money on sweets' |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sc-rejects-urgent-hearing-plea-on-delhi-firecracker-ban-let-people-breathe-101666255817704.html |access-date=21 October 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=20 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Let People Breathe Clean Air': SC Dismisses BJP Leader's Plea Against Cracker Ban In Delhi |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/national/-let-people-breathe-clean-air-sc-dismisses-bjp-leader-s-plea-against-cracker-ban-in-delhi-news-231520 |access-date=21 October 2022 |work=www.outlookindia.com |date=20 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> SC also asked the public to use the money on sweets instead of crackers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Evening brief: 'Spend money on sweets', says SC on Delhi cracker ban hearing; all the latest news |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/evening-brief-supreme-court-turns-down-plea-seeking-urgent-hearing-on-delhi-cracker-ban-and-all-the-latest-news-101666262501468.html |access-date=21 October 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=20 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
[[Category:Fireworks]]
[[Category:Pyrotechnics]]
[[Category:Indian traditions]]
[[Category:Environmental law in India]]
[[Category:Pollution in India]]
[[Category:Culture of India]]
[[Category:Fireworks accidents and incidents in India|*]]

Firecrackers in India - Revision history

Abdurrazzakrazu at 05:49, 27 September 2025