Highlighting the multicultural hues of the country, the Tamil Nadu government on Monday asked the Supreme Court to modify its October 23 order restricting the bursting of firecrackers to a two-hour period between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. during festivals, including Diwali.
For one, the State of Tamil Nadu said the festival of Diwali is celebrated in the morning. Hence, the Supreme Court should allow bursting of crackers from 4.30 a.m. till 6.30 a.m. in Tamil Nadu.
“India being a Federal State is with different traditions and cultures. As far as celebrations relating to Diwali are concerned, each State or Sect has a separate set of beliefs, traditions and culture,” the application filed by the State, through advocate B. Vinodh Kanna, argued.
It said that “in Northern India, Diwali is celebrated in the night to celebrate the homecoming of Rama after slaying Ravana, Diwali is therefore on the night of November 7, 2018. In the State of Tamil Nadu, Diwali, pronounced as ‘Deepavali’, is celebrated commemorating the death of Narakashura, the Evil, slain by the Goddess in the early hours of dawn”.
Detailing the ritual of celebration, the State said in “Tamil Nadu, on the day of Diwali, people wake up early at around 4 a.m., take an oil bath, wear new clothes, and start the celebration with bursting fire crackers in the early morning itself. The celebration goes all day. Diwali this year in Tamil Nadu, is on the early morning of November 6”.
The State urged the court to extend the time for bursting crackers to 4.30 a.m. till 6.30 a.m. in the State.