Expressing displeasure after hearing that no Bollywood actor has come forward to help the Maharashtra Government in its proposed campaign against bursting of firecrackers, the Bombay High Court on Monday (October 26) reminded the celebrities that its their time to give it back to the society and made it clear to the State not to 'waste' public money to rope in any celebrity for the said campaign.

A division bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Dr Neela Gokhale criticised the celebrities for not coming forward on their own, to support the 'social' cause. This came after Additional Government Pleader Jyoti Chavan told the judges that all celebrities have their 'fixed rates' and they do not come for free, even for such social campaigns.

Irked over this, Justice Kulkarni, orally remarked, "If Celebrities are not coming forward for free, then there is no need to approach them... If they charge even for this, then sorry to say it is a really wrong approach... They have lived in this city and got so much from here... If they have a sense of belongingness to the city, they care for the environment then they must come forward to give it back to the city, now. No need to spend public money on this... Do not waste public money on them... Such campaigns cannot be at the cost of public money."

The judges took note of the fact that several celebrities attend the annual program 'Umang' hosted by the Mumbai Police and thus, said the Commissioner of Police, Mumbai must consider inviting celebrities for this cause too.

"When they can come to attend those events why can't they come forward for 15 minutes for a social cause? If they don't come on their own, approach Marathi Actors but for free," Justice Kulkarni observed.

At this, Chavan informed the bench that some Bollywood actors have already put up videos on Instagram urging people not to burst crackers etc. However, the bench opined that such celebrities must come forward for free for the Government campaign too.

Meanwhile, bench appreciated the measures taken by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and also the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for creating awareness against use of firecrackers. The judges noted that the two bodies have published creative Ads in leading newspapers, aired TV commercials and Radio and also taken efforts to run campaigns on social media. BMC was being represented by advocate Joel Carlos.

The bench noted that the BMC has proposed to use 1916 - disaster management helpline number, as a number for citizens to lodge complaints against firecrackers bursting. Similarly, the Mumbai Police has undertook to use its helpline number 100 and 112 for enabling citizens to report any violation of Noise Pollution Rules due to firecrackers or DJ, drums etc.

The judges were impressed with the initiative of the BMC to create awareness in schools, particularly municipal schools, wherein students have pledged against bursting crackers.

"We are told that children have become more sensitive now... They don't want to burst crackers as they know it causes pollution... Thus, such awareness programs in schools shouldn't be a one day thing they must sustain... It can be like a weekly lecture or something once a fortnight thing for them," Justice Gokhale suggested.

The judges further asked the authorities to take special measures for slums as slum dwellers, Justice Kulkarni said, usually continue to burst crackers even past midnight.

"We aren't against slum dwellers but they burst crackers till 2 AM also. It shouldn't be that all efforts are being taken but there are violations only in slums... Take help of the corporators, respected individuals in each slum and create awareness... We want everyone to celebrate the festivals but with all this consciousness and sense of belonging to the environment," the bench said.

The bench has adjourned the hearing in the instant suo motu proceedings till November 25.