(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Congress MP Manish Tagore Opposes Nationwide Firecracker Ban, Calls for Green Alternatives
In a heated debate over firecrackers in India, Congress MP Manish Tagore has strongly spoken out against a possible nationwide ban. He warns that such a move could wipe out jobs for lakhs of families and open the doors for illegal Chinese firecrackers to flood the market. This comes as the Supreme Court weighs in on pollution concerns during festive seasons.
Tagore, who represents Virudhunagar in Tamil Nadu – home to Sivakasi, India’s fireworks hub – shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter). "The call for a nationwide ban on firecrackers is heartbreaking," he wrote. "It’s not just about celebrations – it’s about the lives of lakhs of families in Sivakasi and across India who depend on this industry for survival."
The MP made it clear he’s not supporting harmful, toxic firecrackers. Instead, he pushes for "green fireworks," which are certified safer and cleaner by CSIR-NEERI, a top research body. "We are fighting for green fireworks," Tagore added. "A blanket ban will kill jobs, while illegal Chinese products will take over the market."
Sivakasi’s fireworks industry is a big deal for the economy. It generates over ₹6,000 crore every year and is seeing growing exports. More than 8 lakh workers – many of them women – rely on it directly or indirectly. "This is the backbone of Sivakasi’s economy," Tagore said. "A ban means shutting down small units, destroying livelihoods, and handing the market to smugglers."
He urged Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to team up with Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The goal? Protect both jobs and the environment through smarter rules, not a total shutdown.
This all unfolded on Friday, September 13, as the Supreme Court discussed the issue in New Delhi. A bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran questioned why firecracker bans are limited to Delhi-NCR. They stressed that clean air is a right for every Indian, not just those in the capital.
"If citizens in NCR get pollution-free air, why not people in other cities?" the bench asked. CJI Gavai shared a personal note: "I was in Amritsar last winter, and the pollution was worse than in Delhi." He pushed for a uniform policy across India. "We can’t give special treatment to Delhi because they are elite citizens. If firecrackers are to be banned, let them be banned throughout the country."
The court directed the Centre to get a report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and set the next hearing for September 22. As Diwali approaches, this debate on firecracker ban in India highlights the tough balance between traditions, health, and the fireworks industry jobs.
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