Founder Sonu Tyagi says no religious celebration should come at the cost of human health, animal suffering or environmental destruction; urges families to celebrate Diwali with lights, compassion and responsibility
Mumbai: Go Spiritual, the spiritual and social awareness organisation founded by award-winning writer, director and producer Sonu Tyagi, has called for a crackers-free Diwali, urging people across India to abandon the practice of bursting firecrackers in the interest of human health, animal welfare and environmental protection. Through its “Say No to Crackers” awareness campaign, the organisation is encouraging families to celebrate the festival of lights with traditional diyas, prayers, decorations, togetherness, kindness and compassion rather than activities that contribute to pollution, injuries and suffering.
Go Spiritual has emphasised that Diwali is fundamentally a festival celebrating the victory of light over darkness, goodness over evil and hope over despair. The organisation believes that the festival’s spiritual significance should inspire people to become more compassionate and responsible towards fellow human beings, animals and nature. Bursting firecrackers, which generate harmful smoke, excessive noise and environmental pollution, is neither essential to celebrating Diwali nor a measure of religious devotion.
Sonu Tyagi, Founder of Go Spiritual and Approach Entertainment, strongly questioned the practice of bursting firecrackers when their consequences can be dangerous, particularly for children, elderly people, patients, individuals with respiratory illnesses, animals and birds.
“Diwali is a festival of light, happiness, love and spirituality. I fail to understand why we need firecrackers to celebrate it. How can we justify a few moments of entertainment when the same activity can cause breathing difficulties, serious injuries, suffering and even death? What if someone loses their life because of firecrackers? Can any celebration be more important than a human life? I firmly believe that bursting crackers is an unnecessary and harmful practice, and I do not support it,” said Sonu Tyagi.
Tyagi further emphasised that devotion to Lord Ram should be reflected through righteousness, compassion, responsibility and respect for life rather than through noise and pollution.
“Lord Ram represents Dharma, compassion, sacrifice and righteousness. I do not believe that bursting firecrackers pleases Lord Ram or any God. Why should we celebrate the return of Lord Ram by creating suffering for other living beings? If our celebrations harm innocent people, frighten animals and damage the environment, we must seriously question what kind of devotion we are practising. True spirituality is about protecting life, not endangering it,” Tyagi added.
Highlighting the health implications, Go Spiritual pointed out that firecrackers release particulate matter and other pollutants that can worsen air quality and aggravate respiratory conditions, including asthma. The loud explosions can also cause hearing problems, anxiety and distress, while improper handling of fireworks can result in burns, eye injuries and other serious accidents. The organisation stressed that vulnerable individuals, including young children, senior citizens and people with existing health conditions, often bear the consequences of celebrations in which they may not even participate.
The organisation also drew attention to the suffering experienced by animals and birds during Diwali. Dogs, cats, cattle, birds and other animals can experience extreme fear and stress because of sudden explosions and loud noises. Frightened animals may run away, become disoriented or suffer injuries while attempting to escape. Go Spiritual believes that a society claiming to value compassion and non-violence must recognise the distress caused to creatures that cannot express their suffering in human language.
Environmental protection forms another important part of the campaign. Firecrackers contribute to air and noise pollution, generate waste and release substances that can affect the surrounding environment. Go Spiritual has urged citizens to consider the collective consequences of millions of people bursting crackers during a short festive period, particularly in cities already struggling with poor air quality.
Tyagi also questioned the contradiction between worshipping nature and simultaneously participating in activities that damage it. “We pray for good health, prosperity, happiness and the wellbeing of our families, but then we knowingly contribute to pollution that affects the health of others. We speak about kindness and compassion, yet we ignore the suffering of animals. This contradiction must end. Religion and spirituality should make us more sensitive towards life, not less,” he said.
As part of its wider initiatives promoting spirituality, mental health and wellness, philanthropy, vegetarianism, animal welfare, Ayurveda, organic living and environmental responsibility, Go Spiritual is encouraging people to adopt a more meaningful approach to Diwali celebrations. The organisation recommends lighting traditional diyas, decorating homes, spending quality time with family, sharing sweets, helping underprivileged people, feeding those in need and supporting compassionate community activities.
Go Spiritual has also appealed to parents and educational institutions to sensitise children about the consequences of firecrackers and encourage celebrations based on creativity, cultural traditions and environmental awareness. The organisation believes that lasting change will come when families voluntarily recognise that happiness and devotion do not require activities that endanger others.
“A truly happy Diwali is one in which nobody suffers because of our celebrations. Let us light diyas instead of crackers, spread happiness instead of smoke, and share love instead of creating fear. If even one human life can be protected, one animal can be spared suffering or one family can breathe more easily because we choose not to burst crackers, that is a far more meaningful celebration. Let us celebrate Diwali in the spirit of Lord Ram—with Dharma, compassion and respect for every living being,” Tyagi concluded.
Through its “Say No to Crackers” campaign, Go Spiritual hopes to encourage greater public awareness and responsible individual choices, reinforcing its central message that spirituality must translate into kindness, non-violence and concern for the wellbeing of humanity, animals and the planet.
About Go Spiritual
Go Spiritual is a spiritual and social awareness initiative founded by Sonu Tyagi, an award-winning writer, director, producer and Founder of Approach Entertainment Group. The organisation works across spiritual awareness, mental health and wellness, philanthropy, vegetarianism, animal welfare, spiritual tourism, Ayurveda, organic living, media and social causes. Through its Go Spiritual News Magazine & App, digital platforms and awareness campaigns, the organisation promotes compassionate living, spiritual values and social responsibility.
Go Spiritual Organisation: www.gospiritualindia.org
Go Spiritual News Magazine & App: www.gospiritualindia.in
