Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Minister for Environment, Forest, and Ecology, Eshwar Khandre, has called out the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi over their stance on the recent guidelines regarding firecracker usage in the state. Khandre’s statement follows a Supreme Court order that permits only the use of eco-friendly firecrackers during festivals and restricts the time of use between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. in an effort to reduce pollution levels.
Khandre emphasized that Karnataka’s decision to implement these guidelines aligns with the court’s directives and prioritizes public health and environmental safety. “This notification has been issued in the best interests of the people,” Khandre stated, underscoring the severe impact of pollution and the state’s responsibility to address it.
In his remarks, Khandre also alleged that the BJP is attempting to polarize the issue along religious lines. He argued that the party’s response and criticism of the guidelines reflect a trend of politicizing issues that affect public welfare, creating unnecessary tension and division. “The BJP is trying to polarize and create a Hindu-Muslim divide,” he said, labeling this approach as “very unfortunate.”
The minister urged citizens to remain focused on the health and environmental aspects of the regulations rather than giving in to divisive rhetoric. He expressed confidence that the public would see through such tactics and “give a befitting reply to BJP leaders” for politicizing issues of public health.
As the debate continues, the Karnataka government has reiterated that the new firecracker restrictions are intended to benefit all citizens by addressing the pressing issue of pollution, which continues to grow year by year.
