'Zero right to tell people not to burst firecrackers on Diwali unless...', Bombay Shaving Company CEO has a valid point

The air quality in and around Delhi NCR has remained in the 'very poor' category for the past couple of days. The AQI in Delhi which had earlier improved to poor, plummeted to 'very poor' again after Diwali celebrations, where people flouted the ban and bursted firecrackers, well into the night.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Unending debate over firecrackers on Diwali?

To burst firecrackers on Diwali or not has been a highly polarising topic in the past few years, due to its role in spiking the air pollution levels. While many environmentally concerned citizens and those with family members who have health issues refrain from bursting firecrackers and urge others to do the same, a large section of society sees such bans as an attack on their religion.

CREDIT: BCCL

'Don't tell others unless...'

As the debate continues, Shantanu Deshpande, the founder and CEO of Bombay Shaving Company has raised a valid question asking if people have the right to tell others not to burst firecrackers on Diwali when they do nothing throughout the year to reduce air pollution.

"Unless we

1. Use public transport at least 25% of times

2. Carpool at least 25% of times

3. Plant trees regularly

4. Use

5. Use AC <10% of time

6. Use recyclable/sustainable goods actively

7. Activity minimise eating meat

We have zero right to tell people to not burst crackers," Deshpande said in a LinkedIn post.

'Hate firecrackers, but'

Deshpande, however, clarified that he was not a big fan of firecrackers.

"It sucks, I agree. I hate the noise and I had an asthma attack last year after Diwali. My dog is terrified and I just hate crackers," he said.

CREDIT: REUTERS

'Do your part first'

According to Deshpande, before telling others not to burst firecrackers on Diwali, we should do our part.

"Unless we play our part, we have no right to virtue signal at all. You play your part, and then you can extol all the virtues you want," he wrote.

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