What about goat sacrifice? Chetan Bhagat sparks row over SC cracker ban

Chetan Bhagat criticised the SC's decision on banning sale and stocking of firecrackers

The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that there will be no sale of firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region during Diwali till November 1, as it restored a November 2016 order banning the sale and stocking of firecrackers.

Author Chetan Bhagat took to Twitter on October 9 to criticise the SC ruling.

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

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

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

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

 

Banning crackers on Diwali is like banning Christmas trees on Christmas and goats on Bakr-Eid. Regulate. Don’t ban. Respect traditions.

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was one of the many people who disagreed with the author saying that banning firecrackers isn't 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
 

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

He suggested that innovative solutions like improved public transport options are better ideas when it comes to combating air pollution.

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
 

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
 

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
 

Twitterati lashes out at Bhagat

However, Bhagat wasn't the only one who raised questions on Bhagat's stance on cracker ban. Several users called him out for missing the point.

 

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

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

“What’s Diwali for children without crackers?”

A Diwali when they can breathe.

— Harpreet Singh (@Harry_Jerry) October 9, 2017

“What’s Diwali for children without crackers?”

A Diwali when they can breathe.

— Harpreet Singh (@Harry_Jerry) October 9, 2017
 

This Diwali here is a better way for folks to burn up their money than buy a @chetan_bhagat book... but only if u r outside Delhi NCR! pic.twitter.com/O0awFqQh6c

— Shehzad Poonawalla (@Shehzad_Ind) October 9, 2017

Diwali one day a year is causing disorders? Or unchecked polluters who pollute everyday? https://t.co/zbv4wMqDje

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017
 

Diwali is 1 day, 0.27% of year. pollution comes from 99.6% days of poor planning and regulation. Fix that. Not make 1 religion feel guilty.

— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) October 9, 2017
 

Defending his stand, he said people who described themselves as open-minded, liberal and tolerant were ganging up like a mob. Expressing the right to have his own opinion, he said that the hate, threats he received was a reflection of the people.

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

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