The Supreme Court has refused to impose a blanket ban on the bursting of firecrackers. Hearing a PIL filed by three children through their parents seeking a ban on firecrackers ahead of Diwali, the SC reiterated their previous order stating no firecrackers can be burst between 10 pm and 6 am on Diwali or any other day.

Earlier, the Centre, during the hearing, asserted that it is not in favour of a blanket ban on crackers, referring to the apex court's 2001 ruling which allowed fireworks from 6 am to 10 pm.


The court said it was unhappy with the lack of publicity on noise pollution and directed the Centre and states to educate people about the ill effects of crackers and advise them not to use fireworks. The court said the centre and states must actively raise awareness on air pollution between October 31 and November 12.


Three infants aged between 3 to 14 months had approached the Supreme Court urging it to ban the sale of firecrackers on Dussehra and Diwali stressing that a pollution-free environment was their right.