Amid consistently surging coronavirus cases and unhealthy air quality across the country, many states have opted to ban firecrackers this Diwali.
Over seven states have officially announced the total ban on the use of firecrackers ahead of Diwali.
On November 6, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa announced that amid the COVID-19 situation, the sale and bursting of firecrackers will be banned in the state.
The Kolkata High Court on November 5 officially banned bursting of firecrackers in the upcoming Kali Puja, Diwali and Chhath Puja in the state. Maharashtra, Sikkim, Rajasthan and New Delhi have also imposed a ban on firecrackers till November 30.
Odisha has also banned the sale of firecrackers from November 10 to November 30. Any person who violates the order will be punished under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.