The Supreme Court of India has indeed ruled that stubble burning violates Article 21 of the Indian Constitution,

which guarantees the right to life and living in a pollution-free environment.¹ This decision was made in response to the ongoing issue of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana,
which contributes significantly to air pollution in northern India.
The court emphasized that every person has the right to live in a clean environment and that the government must protect this right. Unfortunately, the authorities have not done enough to enforce existing environmental laws, allowing violations to continue.
To address this issue, the court directed the Union government and the state governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to submit reports on how they are handling pollution issues. Additionally, the Centre has doubled the penalty for stubble
burning, with fines ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹30,000 depending on the size of the landholding.
Key Points from the Supreme Court Ruling:
- Right to a Pollution-Free Environment: The court reaffirmed that Article 21 includes the right to a healthy environment.
- Government Responsibility: The government must protect citizens' rights to live with dignity in a clean environment.
- Increased Penalties: The Centre has doubled the penalty for stubble burning to combat air pollution.
Overall, the Supreme Court's ruling aims to hold authorities accountable for enforcing environmental laws and protecting citizens'
rights to a pollution-free environment.