Kerala Govt moves HC against ban on fireworks at places of worship during odd hours

Kochi: The state government has filed an appeal before the Kerala High Court challenging the recent single-bench order restricting bursting of crackers at religious places during odd hours. The division bench of High Court Chief Justice Ashish J Desai will hear the appeal on Tuesday. 

The appeal filed by the government said that fireworks are part of many religious festivals in Kerala and have been prevalent since time immemorial. The state requested the court to set aside the single bench's order. 

The government contends that the High Court ruling disregarded key binding precedents, such as the exceptions for holding fireworks displays during temple festivals such as Thrissur Pooram. 

Besides restricting the fireworks, the single-bench order also directed the state to conduct raids at all religious places to seize illegal firecrackers. The court demanded a report regarding the same by November 24.