SC bans sale until November 1 — The question: How do you enforce firecracker it?

People buying fire-crackers near Jama Masjid in old Delhi on Monday. (Source: PTI)

Even as the Supreme Court ban found favour with those concerned with “deteriorating” air quality in the capital, several traders and city residents echoed the same question: How will such a ban be enforced?
Sumit Verma, who runs a shop that sells firecrackers in Sadar Bazar, asked how authorities plan to stop people who will get firecrackers from outside Delhi-NCR. “Many people will buy firecrackers in bulk and maybe even sell them to friends and neighbours ‘in black’ — without setting up an official shop. Isn’t that more dangerous than regulated shops that at least follow fire safety norms?” Verma said.

In the same market, below electric wires, streamers and a banner announcing that firecrackers are available at “Chhabra ji patakhe wale” at wholesale rates, Harjeet Singh Chhabra sat on a pavement outside his shop.

With two big boxes of rockets and missiles — that ignite as they blast in the sky — Chhabra said, “I am going to sit here and sell them. One day, you say the ban has been lifted, and we stock up on goods. Next, you say that the sale of firecrackers has been banned. These are explosives. What will we do with them?”

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After the Supreme Court decision, shutters came down on at least 30 shops selling firecrackers in the massive old Delhi market. Police teams went on inspection, and shut down the shops that had not done so voluntarily.

City residents, too, appeared split on the court order. While a large section insisted that the ban would give a “cleaner future” to the children, others called the decision drastic, recalling how Diwali and bursting crackers go hand-in-hand.

“I remember bursting crackers with my father when I was a child, and I do the same with my son every year. Not a lot, just some phooljharis and anaars. I feel a partial curb on crackers would have been ideal. I will probably travel outside the city and buy a couple of boxes,” said Rishabh Mehta, who works with a multinational firm in Gurgaon.
The Supreme Court order also prompted some politics, with Delhi BJP spokesperson Tejinder Singh Bagga saying, “Every year, I give three firecrackers to each child living in slums in my constituency. I am going to do the same this year. They will be procured from outside the state. Firecrackers are used on Christmas, New Year and other festivals, too. There should have been a blanket ban if it leads to pollution.”

Back in Sadar Bazar, Chhabra, who claimed he has been selling firecrackers to increase his profits during the festive season for the last 20 years, said, “Had the ban not been lifted last month, I would not have invested in firecrackers. I would have dealt in gifts instead.”

Showing a copy of his “licence to possess and sell fireworks”, issued on October 4 and valid till October 21, Pummi Makan, another trader, said, “Three days ago, a decision was taken to give licences to 500 people instead of 1,000. Now, with this decision, our losses will run into lakhs,” Makan said.