Bombay High Court Bans Firecrackers in Maharashtra Festive Processions

The Bombay High Court has ordered a complete ban on bursting firecrackers during festive processions across Maharashtra. A division bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale also directed that loudspeakers, DJs and laser beams not be used during religious processions, describing such practices as "completely unwarranted".

The court questioned the rationale behind such displays, asking whether additional divine blessings could be earned through the use of loudspeakers and firecrackers. It said a responsible society should put an end to these practices, pointing to the Wari pilgrimage to Pandharpur as an example of a large procession conducted peacefully without loudspeakers or noise.

The bench had on Monday taken suo motu cognizance of the severe noise and air pollution caused during processions, setting the stage for the sweeping restrictions announced in the latest order.

The directions apply across the state and cover festive processions, with the court linking the curbs to concerns over pollution and public order. The matter remains under the court's watch, and further hearings are expected as the case progresses.