New Delhi: The Bombay High Court has delivered a strong message on civic responsibility, criticising the tendency of people to maintain cleanliness abroad while littering public spaces in India without hesitation.
The observations were made by a Bench comprising Justices G. S. Kulkarni and Aarti Sathe during the hearing of a batch of petitions related to pollution, foul odour, gas emissions and health hazards arising from the Kanjurmarg dumping ground in Mumbai.
Expressing concern over public behaviour, the Bench remarked that many people who casually throw garbage on roads in India are the same individuals who carefully dispose of even a small chocolate wrapper in a dustbin when they are abroad. The judges questioned whether such conduct was consistent with the values of a responsible democracy.
The Court emphasised that maintaining a clean environment is not only the responsibility of civic authorities but also a fundamental duty of every citizen. It stated that anyone seeking a clean and healthy environment must contribute by keeping public spaces clean and respecting civic norms.
The Bench also called upon municipal authorities to take strict action against those who violate cleanliness rules, urging civic officials to act firmly in enforcing regulations against littering.
Highlighting the need for greater public awareness, the Court said citizens must be sensitised about the importance of cleanliness and responsible waste disposal. It observed that indiscriminate dumping of garbage on roads and in narrow lanes creates serious health and sanitation risks for residents.
The judges further expressed concern over the large quantities of waste accumulating across Mumbai, including on its beaches, which are among the city’s most visited tourist destinations. The Court questioned whether such conditions reflected the standards expected of a civilised society and stressed that improving public hygiene requires both effective governance and active participation from citizens.
Sorry, there was a YouTube error.
