Mira Rajput Kapoor Slams Firecracker Use Amid Diwali Smog: “Stop Normalising It”

As post-Diwali smog blankets cities like Delhi and Mumbai, with AQI levels soaring into the "poor" category, Mira Rajput Kapoor has taken a firm public stance against the use of firecrackers during the festival—calling out what she terms as a “lack of common sense” disguised as tradition or harmless fun.

On Tuesday night, Mira took to Instagram with a strongly worded post, questioning why many still continue to burst crackers despite years of mounting evidence about their impact on air quality. Highlighting the annual pattern of pollution spikes and performative awareness, she wrote: “Why are we still bursting crackers? It's not okay even if it's ‘just for the kids to see once’ or ‘just one time for the experience.’ Neither is it okay for your pataka aesthetic to hold a phuljhadi for the gram.”

Mira’s post sharply criticises the hypocrisy of celebrating Earth Day or posting AQI alerts online, only to disregard the message during Diwali. “‘Say no to crackers’ cannot be the poster you get your kids to make for Earth Day and then forget about it when Diwali comes along. AQI news is not just for the next Instagram story. It’s the air our children breathe,” she wrote.

What makes Mira’s message especially resonant is her emphasis on the role of privilege and awareness. Despite widespread access to information, education, and means, she argues, there is a fundamental absence of responsibility.

“This is not a tradition I wish to indulge in... Despite the privilege, education, awareness, and affluence, what is lacking is common sense. So no, I won’t send my kids to watch while you’ll have some cracker fun. Please stop.”

Her comments follow the troubling air quality data in major urban centres. On Wednesday, Mumbai’s Bandra area reported a dense layer of smog, with an AQI reading of 300—officially in the “poor” zone. Delhi’s air quality remained similarly hazardous, with AQI levels fluctuating between 201 and 300 in several areas.

As environmental concerns surrounding Diwali celebrations continue to grow louder each year, Mira Rajput Kapoor’s voice joins a small but growing chorus of public figures urging for meaningful change—not just awareness, but action. Her call is clear: let’s stop romanticising pollution for the sake of tradition. Let’s stop before it becomes normal.