I'll burst crackers, it’s Diwali tradition, says MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan

BHOPAL: Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday weighed in on the cracker debate by saying that there are other causes of pollution and crackers will be burst on Diwali in Madhya Pradesh.

Chouhan had earlier 'liked' a tweet of the state home minister inviting Delhiites to "enjoy Diwali in MP" after Supreme Court banned its sale in Delhi. "Crackers alone are not responsible for creating pollution. Environment conservation is our priority, but tradition is equally important. Diwali will be celebrated with traditional fervour and I will also burst crackers to mark the occasion," Chouhan told reporters, while greeting people on Diwali.

The CM urged people to also light a lamp for peace and prosperity of the state and the nation. "Diwali brings joy and everyone must celebrate," he said.

Chouhan's comments follow a controversial tweet posted by home minister Bhupendra Singh on October 10, in which he had invited Delhiites to burst crackers in Madhya Pradesh after Supreme Court banned sale of crackers in Delhi and NCR. Singh had tweeted that people should invite their Delhi friends over for Diwali.

"In Madhya Pradesh, there is full freedom to burst crackers on Diwali. Celebrate the festival with joy and invite your friends from Delhi to Madhya Pradesh," Singh had tweeted the day after the ban.



He boasted that Madhya Pradesh, "unlike other states", works for protection of environment throughout the year. However, Singh had to face sharp criticism from environment activists across the country for allegedly making a mockery of eco-initiatives.