COPE's Imtiaz Popat slams Vancouver for banning Diwali fireworks but allowing them on Halloween

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      A Coalition of Progressive Electors candidate has accused the City of Vancouver of practising religious discrimination by banning fireworks on Diwali.

      The Hindu holiday, also known as the Festival of Lights, is being celebrated today across India by members of all faiths with fireworks and all-night celebrations.

      Imtiaz Popat, who's running for park board, told the Georgia Straight that the city's bylaw allows fireworks between Sunday (October 25) and October 31 for Halloween, but not today (October 23), which is Diwali.

      "Fireworks are essential for the celebration of Diwali," Popat said. "So it's illegal to do fireworks on Diwali."

      Popat made his comments following a mayoral debate at Langara College on October 22.

      The city's website states that people must obtain a permit to set off fireworks for Halloween. Failure to do so carries a fine of $500 per violation.

      The Straight asked the only lawyer running for mayor, independent Bob Kasting, if he believes that the city's bylaw banning fireworks today violates section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees freedom of religion.

      "I would hate to throw a constitutional opinion off the top of my head," Kasting said, "but it seems to me that obviously if it's a legitimate expression of religious tradition, it seems to me that it's right in the middle of the sweet spot of section 15."

      Popat, a Muslim, recalled that when he was growing up in Vancouver and attended Diwali celebrations at Main Street and East 49th Avenue, there was always a heavy police presence.

      "There was a siege of cops stopping kids doing fireworks on Diwali," he said. "That needs to change."

      He noted that city council could have amended the bylaw to allow fireworks in some parks on Diwali, which is the closest thing to Christmas in India.

      He also maintained that the city's ban on fireworks doesn't apply on Chinese New Year.

      "It is discriminatory because it allows it for Halloween and for Chinese New Year, but not for Diwali," Popat stated.

      He also questioned why Niki Sharma, a Vision Vancouver park commissioner who's running for council, hasn't done anything about this situation. Sharma is a lawyer of South Asian descent who comes from a Hindu family.

      The Straight has left a message with Sharma and will include her comments if she responds.

      Comments

      14 Comments

      Arachides

      Oct 23, 2014 at 9:41am

      Thanks again for pointing out Vision's 'selective' application of city by-laws. You can expect Ms Sharma's response to your enquiry once it has been written for her and approved by Vision's taxpayer funded communications dept.

      James Garrett-Chen

      Oct 23, 2014 at 10:05am

      I think that security concerns well override the need for individual fireworks. I would rather see them banned entirely, at both Chinese New Year and Halloween.

      Good Gravy

      Oct 23, 2014 at 3:13pm

      Could you not find a better picture?

      Allow it

      Oct 23, 2014 at 3:24pm

      It is ridiculous that fireworks can go off on Halloween and Chinese New Year but not on Diwali, it should be included as well.

      James Garrett-Chen

      Oct 23, 2014 at 3:30pm

      I didn't mean to go all party-pooper against Mr. Popat's quest for fairness. It's inconsistent for me to seek ever-tighter gun laws and low cost options to maintain safer streets, then have fireworks policy be made more lax, so,

      Find sponsors, hire professionals, put it on a barge and have the taxpayer either chip in for all three or none at all.

      cam

      Oct 23, 2014 at 6:31pm

      its the other way around, fireworks are banned on Halloween and allowed at Diwali. On Diwali there's no cops patrolling so people get away with it but then on Halloween there's cops everywhere and everybody gets there fireworks confiscated. On the news today they said Canada was a fair nation, it doesn't seem so fair when you use fireworks properly and then are not allowed to use them because "Other People" used them improperly. I live in surrey and I AM PISSED. What a fail of a law and holiday if it even is one...fuckin bitches

      Matt

      Oct 23, 2014 at 7:36pm

      How is this discriminatory? We cannot have fireworks for every occasion people believe us important. 2-3 Canadian holidays per year is acceptable and ensures people who do NOT wish to celebrate are not disturbed.

      Imtiaz Popat

      Oct 24, 2014 at 1:43am

      The city By-laws state that you can only buy and use fireworks between October 25 and 31st. They are not even allowed to sell them until the 25th. The cops are around that time to monitor. But if you use fireworks tonight then there is $500. I am just saying that they should expend this period for Diwali. For those who have not concept of how important Fireworks are on Diwali won't understand.

      OMG

      Oct 24, 2014 at 7:27am

      If they are allowed for Halloween and Chinese New Years then they should be allowed for Diwali. The people using them have been doing it for a long time and can be trusted. I'm just glad that those requesting them didn't resort to calling the bylaw RACIST! Kudos to them for not sinking to those depths.

      Mac

      Oct 24, 2014 at 9:21am

      I was in Surrey last night, what a joke. Oh it's always rascism when they can't get their own way. No halloween fireworks but Diwali? Of course...cry rscism and you can do anything you want in this counrty. I thought it was fog but it turns out it was a heavy layer of smoke I was driving thru. What a country man!!! It's only going to get worse, bleeding heart knee jerk Canadian politicians are whats ruining this country. While we're at it, let's put more crack pipe vending machines on the street corners. That will solve all the drug problems too...