No religion encourages pollution, decide on round-the-year cracker ban, says SC

In a stern rebuke to authorities, the Supreme Court on Monday stated that no religion encourages activities that create pollution.

The court then directed the Delhi government to decide within two weeks on extending the Capital's annual firecracker ban throughout the year.

The bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih stressed that the right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere is a fundamental right protected by Article 21 of the Constitution. "Prima facie, we are of the view that no religion encourages any activity, which creates pollution. If firecrackers are burnt in this fashion then it also affects the fundamental right to health of citizens," the court underlined.