Actor Dia Mirza didn’t expect a political storm to erupt from a short video. But her pollution-awareness message has triggered a nationwide debate on a cracker-free Deepavali. The city has been given a two-hour window for bursting crackers, but residents are asking whether celebration should come at the cost of those who cannot escape the noise.
A Kumaraswamy Layout resident, posting on Reddit, described people bursting bijli crackers while walking down a residential road at 11 pm, followed by another minute-long burst nearby. Pointing out that firecrackers are not the sole cause of the country’s air pollution, the resident adds, “Me saying anything won’t stop people from bursting them.
They get anxious and flinch at every nearby cracker burst,” says a psychology student. Closing the windows to keep out the smoke and noise, he says, “does little good”. The cost of a loud night Raghav Joshi, a 25-year-old charter pilot, says his three-year-old Great Dane, Master Obi Wan, is “terrified” of firecrackers. It seems like it takes years of life off him to live through it,” he says. Calling late-night bursting “downright masochistic”, Raghav believes some people continue to participate simply because it has become an established tradition. “They pretend to like it because it is an established tradition,” he says. “We must strictly protect the hours between 10 pm and 6 am from firecracker noise, with particular consideration for seniors, children, animals and neurodivergent people,” he says. But I don’t go around preaching about it either,” says a Bengaluru resident.
Pet parents and environmentalists are urging the city to embrace a more mindful Deepavali — one where the glow of diyas outshines the din, and the festivities bring joy without causing distress. A little less boom for pets, elders and sensitive ears Sudden, loud bursts can leave pets trembling, hiding or on high alert. For senior citizens, noise and smoke can disrupt sleep and aggravate breathing difficulties. Neurodivergent children and adults can also find the sensory overload distressing. “My pets’ favourite time of day is the evening on the balcony, except during Deepavali. “It always breaks my heart. Environmentalists say individual restraint must be backed by stricter enforcement. Urban strategist Vinod Jacob calls for substantial fines and, where legally permissible, imprisonment for repeat offenders. “Responsible celebration means respecting everyone’s right to peace, well-being and clean air. A greener Diwali: Celebrating without fireworks Not everyone opposed to crackers believes in campaigning against them. “I don’t burst crackers, and I hate the loud noises and pollution. So I wear my earplugs and mask and stay inside as much as possible during Deepavali. ” The frustration is also evident on online forums.
One Reddit user complained about paying ₹400 for a packet of phooljharis, while another said they preferred spending the money on sweets, fairy lights and gifts instead of crackers. Highlight box 8 pm to 10 pm: Bengaluru’s cracker window The Karnataka government has restricted firecracker bursting to 8 pm–10 pm during Deepavali, in line with Supreme Court guidelines on noise and air pollution. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru Stay updated with the latest Bengaluru news.
“I find it appalling that people can be so inconsiderate,” the user wrote, adding that no amount of police patrolling would help curb the practice. “This will be the only period during which bursting of crackers will be permitted,” said Forest, Environment and Ecology Minister Ramalinga Reddy. For some, the cost of green crackers is another deterrent. Download the TOI App.