New Delhi, November 11: The Supreme on Monday said that the right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere is a fundamental right of every citizen under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and no religion encourages any activity which creates pollution. Questioning the authorities for their failure to implement the ban on firecrackers in Delhi during Diwali, a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih further said that if firecrackers are burnt in this fashion it also affects the fundamental right to health of the citizens. "The right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere is a fundamental right of every citizen which is protected by Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
Prima facie we are of the view that no religion encourages any activity which creates pollution or compromises with health of people. If firecrackers are burnt in this fashion it also affects the fundamental right to health of the citizens," said the bench. It further expressed dissatisfaction over the matter in which the ban on fire-crackers by the Delhi government on October 14 was not taken "seriously" by the Delhi Police.
The bench said that the Delhi Police ought to have informed all licence holders to forthwith stop the sale of firecrackers. It further directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to immediately take action to inform all concerned people about the order of the apex court on the ban of firecrackers and ensure that no license holder sells or manufactures firecrackers. "Delhi Po.