Amritsar, Punjab: Avtar Singh Makkar, president of the Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), yesterday said that the SGPC would continue with high-altitude fireworks at the Darbar Sahib on the Parkash Gurpurb of Guru Ramdas on October 9 and ‘Bandi Chhor’ Diwas on October 23.
He said that SGPC had been trying to explore the idea of pollution-free firecrackers or those causing less pollution, but ta viable alternative was yet to be found.
“We have already reduced the duration of fireworks drastically in the recent times to ensure minimum pollution, but we can not do away with the trend of fireworks on Gurpurbs and Diwali as it is an old tradition” said Avtar Singh Makkar
Eco-friendly organizations, including EcoSikh, have been urging SGPC to stop fireworks at Darbar Sahib to make festivals Eco-friendly.