India, Oct. 7 -- The Delhi government's decision to approach the Supreme Court for green firecrackers to be allowed during Diwali spells self-harm for a region that gasps for breath every winter. The apex court confirmed a pervasive, year-round ban in the national capital in April this year. It is this ban that the government wants conditionally lifted for what is essentially a festival of lights. To circumvent the law and the science that firecrackers of all sorts pollute, the government has resurrected the discredited idea of green crackers. This is unacceptable.

First, there is nothing green or safe about "green" firecrackers. They pollute a little less (30% less particulate matter and fewer heavy metals), but they still pollute. Cons...