They haven’t learnt to speak yet but they have conveyed their message through a petition. In first-of-its-kind petition, three infants have moved the Supreme Court seeking ban on firecrackers as festivals like Dussehra and Diwali are approaching."Our lungs have not yet fully developed and we cannot take further pollution through bursting of crackers," said three infants in their petition before the Apex Court.
Two six-month-olds, Arjun Gopal and Aarav Bhandari, and 14-month-old Zoya Rao Bhasin have demanded their right to clean air guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution and asked it to take stringent steps to stop pollution.
The Supreme Court rules permit minors to file petitions for the protection of their fundamental rights through their parents and guardians who term themselves as 'next friends'.
The infants have also asked measures to check pollution hazards like burning crop residues, polluting vehicles and open waste disposal.
"Studies show that Indian citizens have 30% lower lung capacity than Europeans, and that children are the worst affected, as their lungs have not yet fully developed and their systems are vulnerable. In Delhi, a majority of the pollution is caused by over 500 million tonnes of crop residue burnt annually in neighbouring areas, by polluting trucks that pass through the city during the night, road dust and pollution from industries. To add to this, the smoke from bursting of crackers in the months of October and November during the festivals of Dussehra and Diwali virtually clogs the atmosphere, substantially increases the pollution level and magnifies the risk of contracting lung diseases."
They accused the government of lethargic attitude towards arresting pollution in the capital, saying the machinery does little to protect citizens, especially infants and children, from the long-term toxic effects of deadly pollution enveloping the capital city.
(Image: Indiatimes)