Every Diwali, social media gets flooded with self-proclaimed “tradition experts” who insist that bursting firecrackers is an essential part of Indian culture. This year, the debate reignited once again — led by influencers like Rubika Liyaquat, who proudly declared, “We will light diyas, but also burn hearts with firecrackers.” But what happens when those firecrackers turn the air into poison? When the joy of celebration becomes a threat to life itself?
 
In this episode of News That Matters, Neeraj Jha questions the politics, pollution, and psychology behind modern Diwali celebrations. From Delhi’s AQI touching 700+ — making the air equivalent to smoking eight cigarettes a day — to the misleading narrative of “green crackers,” this video exposes the deep disconnect between tradition and toxic practice.
The episode also explores the real origins of firecrackers — not in Indian mythology but in ancient China, spreading through Europe and the Mughal Empire before entering Indian festivals. So when did noise and smoke become symbols of celebration?