Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Government has decided to impose a ban on firecrackers for a third consecutive year. In a tweet, Chief Minister Kejriwal said, “In view of the dangerous condition of Delhi’s Pollution during Diwali for the last three years, like last year, a complete ban is being imposed on the storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers. So that people’s lives can be saved.”

Firecrackers ban in Delhi

This is for the third time the Delhi government has imposed a ban on firecrackers in Delhi on the occasion of the Hindu festival Diwali. The argument that the government gives is that because of the firecrackers, the pollution level rises in Delhi, which causes health problems for the residents. Interestingly, the Delhi government took almost negligible steps to do anything about the stubble burning in the neighboring states, especially in Punjab, which is evidently the main cause of the Pollution in the national capital.

Supreme Court refused to consider the IIT study on firecrackers

In July 2021, the Supreme Court of India dumped an IIT study that showed firecrackers are not a major cause of Pollution and dismissed the plea against the ban on firecrackers. A Bench comprising of Justices AM Khanwilkar and Sanjiv Khanna refused to accept the IIT study, saying they do not need IIT to know that firecrackers cause Pollution. Justice Khanwilkar lashed out at the study, saying, “Do you need IIT to understand that firecrackers impact your health? Ask someone staying in Delhi what happens during Diwali.”

The Bench, while dismissing the plea, said the authorities might permit the sale and use of firecrackers if the air quality (AQI) improves. The court further added, “NGT Order is a graded approach taken by the Tribunal to the prevailing situation. No clarification is needed. It was expressed that manufacturing activities will also be prohibited in the concerned area if the AQ falls. The (NGT) order does not deal with that. If the situation is covered by earlier general directions of this court, it must be followed in letter and spirit. these appeals are devoid of merit and are dismissed.”

The IIT-Kanpur study

A 2017 IIT-Kanpur report suggested that the burning of firecrackers was one of the least contributors to air pollution in Delhi. It said evidence suggests that construction dust may be the biggest culprit when it comes to air pollution followed by vehicular Pollution and bad infrastructure. It further added that the air quality of NCR deteriorated irrespective of the fact that no firecrackers were burnt during the time of the study.

Stubble burning – a major factor in air pollution in Delhi

Multiple reports have suggested that the stubble burning incidents in neighboring states dominantly in Punjab is one of the major reasons for air pollution in Delhi. Every year, close to the date of Diwali, the farmers of Punjab started to burn stubble to get rid of the residual crop after harvesting. Such stubble burning incidents have caused a spike in air pollution, which has been reported multiple times. Despite the efforts by the central government, state governments like Punjab failed to control stubble burning, and the year 2020 saw the highest number of such incidents in four years. Reports suggested that Punjab government even refused to help the farmers with the stubble issue.

Interestingly, just a day ago, on September 14, Delhi Government had urged the neighboring states to use PUSA Bio Decomposer to control incidents of stubble burning. PUSA Bio Decomposer is said to decompose stubble in less than a month and make compost out of it. However, instead of waiting for a reply from the neighboring states, the Delhi government decided to impose a ban on firecrackers that are not even in the top pollutants in the national capital.

Notably, Bharatiya Janata Party, Delhi, has accused Delhi Government to spend crores on the advertisement of Bio Decomposer.

In a statement on September 13, Adesh Gupta, President BJP Delhi, said that the Delhi Government bought the decomposer for Rs 75,000 and spent Rs 24 lakh on its distribution. Further, he alleged that the government had spent Rs 7 crores on its promotion, but the decomposer reached only 310 farmers.

14 September, 2021 | Karnataka, Mysuru - Controversy erupts after district administration in Mysuru razes Hindu Temple

BJP MP Simha, who has warned of launching a ‘Save Temples’, movement claimed that the Mysuru district officials had misread the Supreme Court order and were selectively targeting temples.

The demolition of a Hindu temple in Karnataka’s Mysuru district has sparked a controversy pitting the state government against the district administration. 

After the video of the demolition went viral on social media several politicians including Mysuru-Kodagu BJP MP Pratap Simha and several Hindu organizations registered their protest against the overnight destruction ordered by a tehsildar.

Sharing the video of the demolition, Simha Tweeted asking if the temple was causing any trouble to anyone.

Mysuru District administration had planned to demolish another old temple

Divulging further information on the demolition drive, Simha revealed, “We have learnt that the authorities have decided to demolish the 101 Ganapati Temple on Sept. 22. This was constructed in 1955 and people from across the city and district have a virtuous bonding with the Temple for decades,” vowing to not let the demolition take place.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah slammed the BJP government claiming the demolition “hurt the religious sentiments of the people”. “The destruction of an ancient temple in Nanjangud is condemnable. Since it was a sensitive issue, the @BJP4Karnataka should have spoken to the local residents, The demolition is done without the consultation of the people in the region & has hurt the religious sentiments,” he Tweeted.

14 September, 2021 | Kolkata - Ahead of Durga Puja, Kolkata ‘artist’ paints Goddess in Hijab, draws ire

On September 2, renowned Bengali artist Sanatan Dinda posted a picture of a woman, clad in a head covering (hijab) and a face veil (niqab), on Facebook. The contentious drawing was sketched using charcoal dry pastel and was accompanied with the caption 'Maa aschen'.

Ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations that are scheduled to commence next month, the political and religious propaganda surrounding the annual festival has already begun.

On September 2, renowned Bengali artist Sanatan Dinda posted a picture of a woman, clad in a head covering (hijab) and a face veil (niqab), on Facebook. The contentious drawing was sketched using charcoal dry pastel and was accompanied with the caption ‘Maa aschen’. The phrase of ‘Ma aschen’ is a Bengali reference to the homecoming of Goddess Durga to her maternal home. It is used to describe the curiosity and joy that is felt in anticipation of the Hindu festival.

Screengrab of the Facebook post by Sanatan Dinda

The picture, posted by visual artist Sanatan Dinda, drew the ire of netizens for its portrayal of the Goddess in Hijab. BJP Mahila Morcha Vice-President Keya Ghosh wrote, “Maa Durga in hijab… by artist Sanatan Dinda.”

She pointed out, “He knows he can get away with it because many intellectuals Bengalis are going gaga over it.” The BJP leader had sought the help of the Hindu IT Cell, ex-Shiv Sena leader Rajput Ramesh and architect Vikas Pandey.

10th September | Maharashtra | Delhi | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh - Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations banned

The 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations that will begin from Friday will be muted in Mumbai after the city police banned a gathering of five or more people citing the Covid-19 pandemic and put in several other curbs to be strictly imposed as per government directions. According to a police statement, no processions would be allowed in Mumbai between September 10 to 19 and devotees would not be allowed to visit Ganesh pandals. All prominent Ganesh mandals would be offering virtual darshan facilities, police said.

"It is prohibited to visit the idol of Lord Ganesha or visit the mandap and darshan should be made available online or through electronic means," said a statement released by the Maharashtra Home ministry.  On August 22, the state government had issued guidelines regarding the celebrations, saying that processions should not be taken out before installing and immersing Ganesh idols.

Delhi

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) in an order said that Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at public places will not be allowed in the national capital.

The DDMA said that district magistrates and deputy commissioners of police will ensure that Ganesha idols are not set up in a tent or pandal.

Tamil Nadu

The Tamil Nadu government, too, has banned public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. The state government has denied permission for installation of idols in public places, processions and mass immersion of the idols

Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh government ordered that Ganesh idols should not be installed in public places and people should avoid going for idol immersions in processions. The state government has also decided to extend the night curfew, to prevent crowding during the festive season. In Andhra Pradesh govt not only imposed restrictions on Ganesh Chaturthi due to Covid-19, but the officials used garbage trucks to move Lord Ganesha idols in Guntur.

Churchanity on twitter posted a video of Vellankani Chusrch ahead of Ganesh Utsav and pointed out that According to Tamil Nadu Government this is not crowd. But Vinayaka Chaturthi/Ganesh Chaturthi will spread Corona. I think Tamil Nadu Government also wants to promote Kerala model. Restrictions for Hindus and Allowance for other's.

23rd August 2021 | MUMBAI | Tamil Nadi | Kerala

In view of the pandemic and fear of the third Covid 19 wave, Mumbai’s iconic Dahi Handi celebration will not take place this year.

BJP opposed the move of the Maharashtra government banning the Dahi Handi celebration.  BJP leader Ashish Shelar said, this is the Taliban mentality of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, they are allowing hotels, bar and wine shops, but the not the Hindu festivals.

Preeti Gandhi on Twitter pointed out that though there was ban on Dahi handi but on the same day, 2000+ people gathered at the royal wedding of Shiv Sena leader Devram Lande's son. Several NCP & Shiv Sena MLAs attended. Rules don't apply to them?

7th July, 2021 | Odhisha

‘Hope and trust God will allow Ratha Yatra next year’: Supreme Court refuses to interfere with Odisha govt’s decision

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court dismissed all petitions filed by various persons and organizations, challenging a decision of the Odisha government to disallow the Ratha Yatra festivals in various temples across the state in the light of the Covid-19 situation with an exception granted to Puri Jagannath Ratha Yatra, reports Bar and Bench.

To be continued.....

Though, I will be collectiong more such inceidences where only Hindu festivals have been restricted selectively if any of the readers has more accounts of such indents, please do share at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.