By Prathima Nandakumar
The Hindu Jagriti Samiti has slammed the Siddaramaiah government for imposing a two-hour time limit (8 pm to 10 pm) for bursting crackers and limiting the noise level to 125 decibels during the upcoming Diwali festival citing air and noise pollution.
"It is an assault on the religious freedom of Hindus. We demand the withdrawal of the order imposing several restrictions on bursting crackers citing air pollution. What measures has the Congress government taken to reduce the massive pollution caused by the vehicles in Bengaluru all through the year? Why is the Congress targeting only Hindi festivals?," asked Sharat Kumar, spok
Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Eshwar B. Khandre said, "We appeal to people to celebrate a safe and eco-friendly Deepavali and use only green crackers. The noise levels should be within the 125-decibel limit and bursting the crackers will be allowed only between 8 pm and 10 pm," said Khandre, who also reminded that both the National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court had issued directives to use only green crackers, which are less harmful to the environment.
The minister stated that traditional crackers caused distress to animals, birds, children, and the elderly and called upon educational institutions, elected representatives, and the green brigade to promote an eco-friendly Diwali.
Recalling that the Congress government was targeting only Hindi festivals and banned DJ music during the Ganesh Utsav recently while making FSSAI certificate mandatory to distribute "prasadam" at the Ganesh pandals, Samiti threatened to stage statewide protests if the Diwali restrictions were not lifted immediately.