Politics behind ban on sale of firecrackers: Tripura Guv

Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy on Wednesday said that there was politics involved behind the Supreme Court's ban on the sale of firecrackers in the national capital.

Roy particularly targetted the petitioners and "award-wapasi people" when he commented, "These people of award-wapsi and the other people, who are trying to file this petition - their eyes are always towards minority vote bank. There is politics in this for sure."

Speaking to ANI, Roy referred to his tweet (in Hindi) regarding the ban that said, "The way Dahi Handi and crackers are banned, a day will come when the 'Candle and Award-Wapasi gang' will file a petition for banning cremation of Hindus, on the pretext of pollution."

Roy clarified he did not say anything about the apex court's decision, but at the same time, added that he was unhappy with the ban.

"As a Hindu, I am unhappy with the decision of the court, as Diwali is an all India festival and probably, the most important Hindu festival, and bursting crackers is a part of it," Roy said.

Agreeing with the ill-effects of crackers on the environment, the Tripura Governor argued that the festival was celebrated on a single day, during a time when pollution is relatively lower.

"Pollution mostly happens in winters, while Diwali is celebrated during the end of autumn," Roy said, adding that the court took a good decision when it banned diesel vehicles as cars ply throughout the year as opposed to the one day festival.