It is a welcome step that the Kerala High Court has banned the use of high-decibel crackers and display of fireworks between the hours of sunset and sunrise in the State (“Kerala High Court puts an end to use of high-decibel pyrotechnics”, April 13). However, it is unfortunate that such decisions are taken only after a tragedy. In India, we need to ask why such decisions are taken mostly by the judiciary even though powers are vested with the executive too. The incapability of the police in the episode should also be properly investigated, and someone should take responsibility for dereliction of duty.
N. Vijai,
Coimbatore
Instead of appreciating the High Court’s decision, the Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady boards are adopting a confrontationist attitude. The court has not banned fireworks; it has only banned high-decibel ones and is asking for safety guidelines to be followed. The Thrissur district administration has said that conditional permission will be given to display fireworks during the Thrissur pooram, but that the organisers can use 2,000 kg of explosives and not the usual amount of 12,000 kg which they use flouting rules.
Why can’t temples refrain from using fireworks and dozens of elephants to conduct the pooram? Tradition must not mean compromising on safety and the welfare of animals.
Rajeswari Narasimhan,
Chennai
Temple festivals are going out of control in Kerala and are in need of regulation. The Kerala government should enforce the following rules. One, a total ban on loudspeakers and fireworks, both of which are health hazards according to the Indian Medical Association. Two, temple committees should be forbidden from going to houses and asking for contributions. All donations should be on a purely voluntary basis. Three, contractors should be kept out, and, as is the norm in the Sikh community, all the work must be done voluntarily. Four, temples should use the money for charitable purposes, such as feeding the indigent, instead of engaging film stars and paying them huge amounts to perform at these festivals. Five, practices such as the use of elephants should be banned.
Finally, the argument of tradition should not be used to propagate barbaric practices. Let us remember that the practice of sati was part of Hindu tradition. Traditions have to keep up with the times. Besides, in the olden days it was the devotees who worked for the success of the festival, not paid contractors.
Reeja N.,
Thiruvananthapuram
