Three infants created history by becoming the youngest petitioners ever to file a petition in the Supreme Court through their fathers demanding ban on firecrackers during Diwali and Dusshera.

The young litigants, barely aged between six and 14 months, claimed that the air in Delhi was difficult to breathe and to make a bid for a cleaner air, it was necessary to ban use of firecrackers that produce smoke during festivals.

The infants, all residents of Delhi, claimed that recent studies exposed the threat faced by Delhi showing highest levels of particulate matter that cause breathing disorders. Over seven lakh deaths occur annually due to pollution and studies reveal that residents in Delhi have 30 per cent lower lung capacity compared to their counterparts in Europe.

Children are the worst affected, claimed the petition “as their lungs have not fully developed” making them easy prey to diseases. 

The petition, expected to be taken up by Court next week, also sought stoppage of seasonal crop burning, which is seen as a major pollutant releasing smoke and dust into the environment. Demanding a comprehensive approach to rid Delhi’s air of pollutants, the three petitioners also sought to regulate dumping of dust, malba, and other pollutants in the open by imposing severe penalties. In addition, the petition referred to pollution caused by heavy vehicles, trucks and tempos seeking strict enforcement of Bharat Stage V emission norms.

Although a petition in relation to pollution in Delhi is already pending with the apex court, it will be interesting to see what the Court does on a petition by the infants.