Chennnai: Supreme Court ruling will spoil Deepavali spirit, says Pon Radhakrishnan

Chennnai: More than the monsoon, it is the Supreme Court's restriction that may dampen the spirit of children and elders alike, this Deepavali.

The 'limited' enjoyment is likely to spoil the children's fun, according to Union minister of state for finance and shipping Pon Radhakrishnan.

While suggesting that the issue ought to be looked at from the cultural point of view, Mr Radhakrishnan wondered if law would be invoked on boisterous children, who indulged in fun activities.

“Nearly 90 per cent of those who burst crackers during Deepavali are children, especially school going kids. Will you apply law on them?” he asked and wondered if it was possible to deploy police at each and every house or ensure a committee is constituted for every street to check violations.

Relaxing its verdict for the southern states including Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, the Supreme Court said crackers could be burst for an hour in the morning from 4 am and another hour between 9 pm and 10 pm.

“This is people's festival. Will any restrictions be imposed in the celebration during Christmas too?” he asked and said the court should review its decision from the cultural viewpoint.

Taking potshots at the state government, AMMK leader T. T. V. Dhinakaran said with hardly four to five days left for the festival, the State government should move fast and ensure justice to fireworks industry and the people.

“Strangely, the enthusiasm and speed with which the ruling AIADMK had moved the courts to safeguard the government and to protect their personal interest, should also be evident in addressing the concerns of the people and the industry,” he added.

Sivakasi town of Tamil Nadu is the biggest centre for production of firecrackers and it contributes to nearly half of the firecrackers produced in the country. Approximately 4 lakh workers are employed in the firecracker factories in Sivakasi alone.

The Supreme Court order, the firecracker industry leaders in Sivakasi say, is likely to result in 50 per cent reduction in sales this Deepavali, thus affecting workers currently engaged in production of firecrackers.