Overview
- Advocate Hitendra Gandhi filed a detailed representation to the NHRC on October 24 seeking urgent intervention, and the commission has not responded yet.
- The plea cites CPCB monitoring and peer-reviewed research showing post-Diwali PM2.5 spikes up to about 700 µg/m³ in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru, alongside surges in respiratory cases.
- It flags more than 130 carbide-blast injuries this season—over 60 in Bhopal and more than 75 in Bengaluru—attributed to homemade “carbide guns” sold outside safety standards and promoted via online tutorials.
- Requested actions include a national study, NHRC advisories, AQI-linked curbs, stricter state enforcement under explosives and pollution laws, removal of how-to content, and a nationwide ban on carbide-based devices.
- The filing argues that the current green-cracker regime has not prevented hazardous episodes and documents widespread animal distress and ecological damage, with calls for rescue networks and post-celebration cleanups.