Kerala HC Bans Firecrackers in Religious Places at Odd Hours

The Kerala High Court has ruled that no firecrackers should be burst in religious places at unusual hours, as there are no commandments in any holy scriptures requiring the use of firecrackers to please God.

Justice Amit Rawal, in a move to enforce the ban on firecrackers, has directed the police chiefs of all districts in the state to conduct searches at religious sites and confiscate any illegally stored firecrackers. The judge, in his order said, the violation of the court order will initiate contempt proceedings.

“I hereby direct the Deputy Collector, with the assistance of the Commissioner of Police in Cochin and other districts, to carry out inspections at all religious places and seize illegally stored firecrackers. Furthermore, instructions should be issued to prohibit the bursting of firecrackers in religious places at odd times, as there is no clear commandment in any holy book to use firecrackers to please God,” the order stated.

The petitioners had approached the court to seek its intervention in preventing the use of firecrackers at religious sites throughout Kerala. The court acknowledged the fact that firecrackers had been used even after midnight, a point that was not disputed by the respondents’ legal counsel.

The petitioners argued that explosive licenses are being issued by the District Collector under the Explosive Rules, and many temple authorities, with the exception of a few, do not possess these licenses.

The court has asked the state government to provide a report on this matter and has scheduled it for further hearing on November 24, 2023.