Taking into account massive air pollution in the national capital, the Supreme Court on Monday banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR till November 1. Delhi's pollution levels reach dangerous limits during Diwali celebrations. According to a 2016 National Air Quality Index, Delhi breathed in air polluted with particulate matter of up to 14 to 16 times the acceptable limits on Diwali night.
As usual, Twitter went berserk with comments, debates and memes. While most debates initially were around the idea of banning or regulating use of fireworks during festivities, it took on a religious hue later. Debates on safety of children and pollution soon snowballed into a Hindu-Muslim debate.
Author Chetan Bhagat can very well be credited with triggering the controversy. After the SC ruling, he tweeted: “SC bans fireworks on Diwali? A full ban? What's Diwali for children without crackers?” Well, that doesn't sound controversial enough. Wait till you see the subsequent tweets. He asked if the Supreme Court would ban Christmas trees on Christmas or goat slaughter on Bakr-Eid.
Can I just ask on cracker ban. Why only guts to do this for Hindu festivals? Banning goat sacrifice and Muharram bloodshed soon too?
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017
Banning crackers on Diwali is like banning Christmas trees on Christmas and goats on Bakr-Eid. Regulate. Don’t ban. Respect traditions.
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017
While many joined in to agree that Hindus were being targeted, #CommunalCracker was used widely to argue on the issue.
Now it's a time for 107 crores Hindus stand up for ur rights unless u will be ignored in our own country.
— Rony Rajput (@rony_rajput123) October 9, 2017
F*ck secularism
#CommunalCracker
#CommunalCracker horrible decision by SC, cutting the Hindu ties, we are slaves in our own country, cant even celebrate Diwali, is this Curse for India, but other Communities Cherish with no restrictions-why always Hindus made to Suffer in a country of 85% Hindus-foolish Hindues
— Jai Hind (@Gautam13878864) October 9, 2017
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor pitched in with a reply to Bhagat, terming firecrackers 'unholy addons'.
And w all respect who decides on what makes a part of a celebration, done for generations, suddenly unholy? And the courts should ban it? https://t.co/YZqzDD8HfB
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017
To which, Chetan replied: "And w all respect who decides on what makes a part of a celebration, done for generations, suddenly unholy? And the courts should ban it?"
Journalist Nidhi Razdan, too, faced flak on Twitter for her comment on the #CommunalCracker debates. She tweeted: "Only in India can a real debate on pollution and health turn into a communal issue. Really incredible."
Madam, are you saying the Supreme Court of India is anti Hindu? Are firecrackers “Hindu”? Are doctors warning agst crackers all anti Hindu ? https://t.co/yejTiGrpiL
— Nidhi Razdan (@Nidhi) October 9, 2017
Amid all the cacophony, a section of Twitterati urged fellow users not to communalise Diwali.
#CommunalCracker Most of festivals in India of various religion create some kind of pollution or harm environment.look all things equally
— Nitin Lalwani (@NitinLalwani8) October 9, 2017
#bancrackers #CommunalCracker SC should be held responsible for creating division among ppl on religious lines wth ths judgement.Shame.
— Parag Hede (@Indepthcomments) October 9, 2017