So the silent fireworks have started again before the actual fireworks can go off on Diwali 2025.
As seen for the last few years, this has become a contentious issue in the GTA, rather unnecessarily in my humble opinion.
The City of Brampton has banned private fireworks on individual properties or public parks, etc. The City of Mississauga is now debating whether to ban fireworks in their city as well, after previously resisting the pressure, wisely.
As a Proud Hindu who celebrates Diwali in all it’s traditional form and customs, without any disturbance to anyone else, I find these moves utterly spineless and victimizing the entire Hindu community for the fault of a few.
Yes, we are all aware that there were several incidents of hooligans creating a mess on private properties, such as in plaza and mall parking lots.
However municipalities are choosing to take an easy escape route. Instead of catching those who create problems and giving them heavy fines or penalties, they are deciding to ban the fireworks outright for everyone.
If you are not able to enforce the law, then what’s the point of having so many by-law officers in the first place? If tomorrow I die lying in my bed, should we ban lying in bed for everyone?
When I came to Canada 25 years ago, we really enjoyed the inclusive culture, openness to everyone – celebrating their major festivals with neighbours curious to find out more about them, instead of complaining like crybabies.
Fireworks, even small harmless ones, are a major part of what Diwali stands for. Denying people – who are Canadian citizens and permanent resident – their right to celebrate their major festivals in a traditional way, speaks very badly on multiple fronts.
Namely (1) how inclusive and open we are as a society, (2) how ineffective the City and concerned authorities have become to apply rule of law and by-laws to provide a safe environment to other law abiding citizens, (3) this is a huge overreaction that has broken a close bond much of the Hindu Community shared with their adopted country. It makes us feel like second-class citizens or that our religion, our traditions, our culture doesn’t matter.
This is not what we bargained for. Not what we want. The Hindu community the world over has been a peaceful community. Hindus have never attacked or invaded other countries. My appeal to the city authorities is to grow a spine again, act strongly against those who create trouble and leave the rest of us alone. Remove the fireworks ban in Brampton and don’t bring one to Mississauga.
Vipul Jani is a seasoned media professional with 35 years experience and the founder of Impact Media and Events Corporation, which puts on events throughout the GTA. Learn more at www.imec.biz.
-Vipul Jani
