The Supreme Court has demanded Delhi Police take “immediate action” to stop the sale and bursting of firecrackers in the national capital – an annual activity in open defiance of an existing ban – even days after Diwali, observing sharply that “no religion encourages pollution”.

“No religion encourages any activity which creates pollution. If firecrackers are burst in this fashion… it also affects fundamental right to health of the citizens,” a bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Agustine George Masih, hearing a case on Delhi’s yearly air quality crisis, said.

The court also demanded the Delhi government take a decision on a permanent ban on firecrackers – the chemical residue of which blankets the city in cloud of toxic smog that smothers residents and severely endangers their health – in the city by November 25.

Today’s hearing follows last week’s reprimand for the Delhi government and police, each of which was issued a notice to explain to the court why they had failed to implement and enforce the ban on firecrackers, which is announced before Diwali every year and has little or no effect.

In response, today the Delhi Police chief filed an affidavit explaining steps taken.

Canadian journalist Terry Milewski has criticized Canada’s approach to the Khalistani issue, calling it “hypocritical” and a “national disgrace.” Speaking to ANI, Milewski expressed his concerns about Canada’s handling of the issue, stating, “I have been saying for 20 years that Canada has been hypocritical in its approach to the Khalistani menace. The Khalistan issue, as it’s been treated by Canada over the years, has been a national disgrace.”

He disputed claims about Australia Today being blocked and attributed the issue to a long-standing commercial negotiation between Facebook and Canadian regulators, who insist that content creators should be paid.

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“All you have to do is click on the site and see if it’s blocked. I can tell you that it’s not; it hasn’t been since the very beginning…It hasn’t been blocked, it hasn’t been banned, it hasn’t been censored. Australia Today is an excellent publication. They serve the Indian diaspora in Australia very well. They and their supposed defenders have been fooled,” Milewski said.

“The only problem with access to the site is if you insist on getting it only on Facebook. But if you just go to the site, there’s no problem. The issue is a long-standing commercial negotiation, a difference of opinion between Facebook and Canadian regulators, who insist that content creators should be paid,” he added.

Milewski also condemned the recent Khalistani attack on Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, attributing these incidents to the failure of Canadian politicians to address the growing influence of Khalistani separatism over the past 40 years.

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“This is extremely disturbing, and it arises from the utter folly of Canadian politicians over 40 years,” he said.

“It is an open aggression by Khalistanis aimed at Hindu temples in this case, and it is extremely worrying,” he added.

Milewski also shared his insights on the potential impact of the US presidential election on India-Canada relations. Speaking about Donald Trump’s “unpredictability”, Milewski noted that Trump has a good relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has been praising the incoming administration and looking forward to working with Trump.

“Trump is nothing if not unpredictable. He gets along very well with PM Modi and Modi has been very assiduous in peppering the incoming administration with praise and looking forward to working with his friend Donald Trump,” he said.

Diplomatic ties between Canada and India have been strained since Ottawa alleged New Delhi’s role behind the killing of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an India-designated terrorist. New Delhi has strongly denied the charge, calling it “absurd” and “motivated”.

The ties deteriorated further following the Khalistani attack on the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)