BJP leader to give crackers to slum kids

New Delhi: Even as the Supreme Court on Monday said that its order of last November banning the sale of firecrackers in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) will continue till October 31, Delhi BJP spokesman Tajinder Bagga tweeted: “Will distribute free crackers to slum kids on Diwali.”

Talking to this newspaper, Mr Bagga said that he is not defying the apex court order by distributing fire crackers to slum kids as it only banned its sale in Delhi-NCR, but not its distribution.

“Distributing fire crackers to slum kids is not the contempt of Supreme Court as it has banned the selling of firecrackers. I am distributing firecrackers for free and the order does not ban the burning of crackers even,” added Mr Bagga.

Sharing the details of his plan, Mr Bagga said that he would arrange the firecrackers from outside Delhi-NCR and distribute it among slum children in Harinagar.

A member of BJP’s national ‘good governance’ team, Virendra Sachdeva said in a tweet that religious sentiment must be respected; fire crackers have been banned in Diwali, but no one raised any issue on Bakra Id (Id-ul-Zuha) and other religious observations.

Several Delhi BJP office bearers, however, distanced themselves from Mr Bagga’s announcement of distribution of firecrackers among slum children. A senior Delhi BJP leader said that only after going through the order would the party be able to take any stand.

“Distribution of fire crackers among slum children is Mr Bagga’s individual decision and not of the Delhi BJP. Party leadership will discuss the apex court’s order before taking any stand on the issue. But we must say that religious sentiments must be respected,” he added.  

Appealing to the people to follow the Supreme Court’s order, Union minister Dr Harsh Vardhan tweeted, “Humbly request everyone to abide by the SC guidelines and give #GreenDiwali and our environment a chance. You’ll see the benefits yourselves.”