At a Supreme Court Bar Association lecture in New Delhi titled “Clean Air, Climate Justice and We – Together for a Sustainable Future”, former Supreme Court judge Justice Abhay S. Oka emphasized that no faith justifies harming animals or the environment. He urged judges and citizens alike to uphold their constitutional duty to protect nature, rejecting pollution in the name of religion.

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• Justice Oka said no religion permits cruelty to animals or environmental destruction.
• Urged judiciary to set example by upholding environmental protection as top constitutional duty.
• Said citizens and State both failed in duty under Article 51A to safeguard nature.
• Firecrackers, loudspeakers, idol immersion cited as harmful non-essential practices.
• Clarified bursting crackers not part of any religion, affects elderly, animals, birds.
• Criticized idol immersion and river pollution; supported artificial ponds as solution.
• Stated loudspeakers during festivals or Azaans not essential religious practices under Article 25.
• Warned judges against yielding to religious or popular pressure in environmental cases.
• Called for reforms based on science to remove polluting religious customs.
• Opposed dilution of environmental laws replacing criminal penalties with fines.