India, Oct. 31 -- The Supreme Court spent Thursday's hearing on firecrackers asking the right questions. A bench of justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale pulled up the Delhi government and the Commission for Air Quality Management for failing to enforce last year's firecracker curbs. It demanded a record of inspections and seizures, and warned that orders without enforcement become "near mockery". Yet it also held to its position that a ban is not the answer, and indicated it is likely to allow green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on specified days around Diwali, which falls on November 8.

Science and recent history show that this is a lapse. And this year, the case against it is stronger than ever.

Start with the fields. Early reports from Pun...