Smoke-Free Diwali: Should Firecrackers be Banned?

Air and noise pollution levels touched alarming levels on Diwali despite all the advertisements and pleas by government, as well as, civil society organisations asking people to say no to crackers and fireworks. Delhi, the most polluted city in the world according to the World Health Organisation, was marginally better than last year, but the pollution in the capital is still nine times higher the day after Diwali than on a normal day. On Left, Right and Centre, we ask, should there be a law to ban or limit the sale of firecrackers or would this affect the very spirit of Diwali?