Cracker Ban Yay or Nay? Tharoor & Bhagat Battle it Out on Twitter

Chetan Bhagat seemed very keen on bringing in a religious angle to the ruling.

Author Chetan Bhagat took to Twitter on 9 October to criticise the Supreme Court’s move to uphold a ban on fireworks in Delhi-NCR till 1 November.

He said that bursting firecrackers was a traditional part of Diwali and compared it to decorating Christmas trees, or sacrificing goats during Eid.

SC bans fireworks on Diwali? A full ban? What’s Diwali for children without crackers?

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

In fact, he seemed very keen on bringing in a religious angle to the ruling.

I want to see people who fight to remove crackers for Diwali show the same passion in reforming other festivals full of blood and gore.

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

Can I just ask on cracker ban. Why only guts to do this for Hindu festivals? Banning goat sacrifice and Muharram bloodshed soon too?

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

In response, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor tweeted that banning firecrackers is not a bad decision because they are an unholy add-on to the festival.

Your examples of practices integral to those observances; banning them would be like banning lamps onDiwali. Firecrackers are unholy add-ons

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 9, 2017

In turn, Bhagat demanded to know how someone could call the practice unholy.

And w all respect who decides on what makes a part of a celebration, done for generations, suddenly unholy? And the courts should ban it? https://t.co/YZqzDD8HfB

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

Twitterati Lash Out at Bhagat

However, Tharoor wasn’t the only one who questioned Bhagat’s stance on cracker ban. Several Twitter users called Bhagat out for missing the point.

False equivalence. Bursting crackers has nothing to do with the Diwali tradition.The very word 'Diwali' means 'light'. Lighting diyas=Diwali https://t.co/Lmsu45fAXV

— Prerna Bakshi (@bprerna) October 9, 2017

Fireworks smoke = Cancerous elements + pollutants causing severe respiratory distress especially for babies, children and the elderly.

— ROCKYANDMAYUR (@rockyandmayur) October 9, 2017

Hi Chetan would you rather have your children suffer respiratory disorders instead? Don't force your idiotic fantasies reg Diwali to kids.

— Priyanka (@autumnrainwish) October 9, 2017

It's a festival of lights. Not noise or air pollution. You're supposedly an IITian. Do you know what causes pollution? Burning crackers. 😡😡😡

— Priyanka (@autumnrainwish) October 9, 2017

Bhagat also seemed concerned about children, who he felt would be unable to enjoy Diwali without fuljharis.

आज अपने ही देश में, उन्होंने बच्चों के हाथ से फुलझड़ी भी छीन ली। हैपी दिवाली मेरे दोस्त।

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

In his defense of firecrackers, he said that imposing a ban is the wrong way to go about it.

It is one day of the year. Our biggest festival. Uber has saved pollution more than any ban would. Come up with innovations. Not bans. https://t.co/1XfDHatBjW

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

If you care turn off electricity in your house for a week and don’t use cars. On what basis are you imposing a ban on someone’s traditions?

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

So you are going to decide for everyone? Ban whatever doesn’t suit your style? https://t.co/1aUPOrC9wa

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

Responding to the severe backlash on Twitter, Bhagat, however, stood his ground and said he had the right to express his opinion.

I have a right to have my opinions. If all you can do is give hate, threats and personal attacks in response, reflects more on u.

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

Many people who describe themselves as open minded, liberal and tolerant are ganging up like a mob and abusing the hell out of me today

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

What do you think of Bhagat’s rant? Let us know in the comments, or better still, head over to Twitter, and let the bestselling author know your thoughts.

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