Pavitra Punia on Diwali firecrackers: 'Dogs fear all loud sounds, not just crackers'
Synopsis
Actress Pavitra Punia has pushed back against critics of Diwali firecrackers, arguing that pets fear all loud sounds — not crackers specifically — and calling out what she sees as a double standard that targets Hindu festivals while ignoring equally noisy weddings and anniversaries. Her video adds a Bollywood voice to one of India's most polarising annual debates.
Key Takeaways
Pavitra Punia released a video message defending Diwali firecracker celebrations ahead of Diwali 2024 .
She argued that dogs and pets are frightened by all loud sounds — traffic, horns, falling objects — not firecrackers alone.
Punia condemned those who deliberately harass animals during festivities and called for strict action against them.
She questioned why Diwali is singled out for loud celebrations when weddings and anniversaries involve similar noise with no public backlash.
She also said Hindu communities should not be made to feel defensive about celebrating their festivals within responsible limits.
In a lighter aside, she questioned the annual tradition of intensive Diwali cleaning , asking why homes are not kept clean year-round.
Actress Pavitra Punia has spoken out against those criticising the bursting of firecrackers during Diwali, questioning why the Hindu festival is singled out when loud celebrations are commonplace across weddings, anniversaries, and other occasions throughout the year. The actress shared her views in a video message ahead of Diwali 2024, taking on what she called selective outrage directed at her community's festivities.
On Animals and Loud Sounds
Describing herself as a pet lover, Punia addressed the frequently raised concern that Diwali firecrackers cause distress to dogs and other animals. She argued that the fear is not specific to crackers but extends to any sudden, heavy sound. Pavitra Punia said, 'I am a pet lover. My dogs are equally scared. And my dogs are equally scared of traffic, just like a horn sounds outside, just like something falls. So the problem with pets is not that they are afraid of firecrackers. They are afraid of any dark, heavy sound. They are afraid of that.'
She was careful to add that those who deliberately harass animals during the festive season deserve strict action. 'Catch them and beat them. Take action for them,' she said, referring to individuals who intentionally trouble animals.
Calling Out the Double Standard
Punia pointed directly at what she described as hypocrisy — the tendency to critique Diwali celebrations while staying silent when equally loud festivities accompany weddings and anniversaries. She said, 'Do we say this on someone's wedding anniversary? Tell me our logic. When people get married, at that time, why doesn't anyone come to say... Don't celebrate your happiness. No one says anything when the wedding season starts at their own house. Everyone will forget the preachings.'
This comes amid a recurring annual debate in India around Diwali, where environmentalists, animal welfare advocates, and courts have increasingly called for restrictions on firecrackers, citing air quality and noise pollution. Critics of such positions argue the curbs are applied unevenly across communities and occasions.
A Broader Sentiment on Hindu Festivals
The actress said she finds it deeply unsettling when members of the Hindu community are made to feel defensive about their own festivals. 'Don't be biased towards your own things and against with other people. One or two days of festivals come. Celebrate them well. Be very careful. Don't hurt any animal, any bird. Just stay within the limits and celebrate festivals. No animal should be troubled because of us. Happy Diwali!' she said.
Notably, Punia's remarks echo a sentiment expressed by several public figures in recent years who argue that the burden of environmental or ethical accountability is disproportionately placed on Hindu celebrations compared to other festive occasions.
A Lighter Note on Diwali Cleaning
Punia also ventured into lighter territory, questioning the tradition of intensive Diwali cleaning. She wondered aloud why Indians reserve deep-cleaning their homes for the festival rather than maintaining them through the year. 'The cleaning that is done on Diwali, I wanted to know the contract for cleaning on Diwali, why is it done only once in a year?' she said, adding with a quip: 'What is written in the Ramayana that you have to clean the house? This question is for the mothers.'
As Diwali 2024 approaches, Punia's video is likely to generate debate on both sides of the firecracker conversation — a discussion that shows little sign of quieting down anytime soon.
Point of View
And that amplification itself is now part of the annual Diwali news cycle.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Pavitra Punia say about Diwali firecrackers?
Pavitra Punia defended the bursting of firecrackers during Diwali, arguing that dogs and pets are frightened by all loud sounds — including traffic horns and falling objects — not specifically by crackers. She called out what she described as selective criticism directed at Diwali while similar noise at weddings and anniversaries goes unquestioned.
What did Pavitra Punia say about animals and firecrackers?
Punia, who describes herself as a pet lover, said her own dogs are equally scared of traffic sounds and sudden noises as they are of firecrackers. She condemned those who deliberately trouble animals during the festive season and said strict action should be taken against them.
Why did Pavitra Punia call out Diwali critics?
She argued that there is a double standard in public discourse — Diwali is frequently criticised for loud celebrations, while weddings and anniversaries involving comparable noise face no such scrutiny. She said Hindu communities should not be made to feel defensive about celebrating their festivals within responsible limits.
What did Pavitra Punia say about Diwali cleaning?
In a lighter part of her video, Punia questioned why Indians deep-clean their homes only once a year during Diwali rather than maintaining cleanliness year-round. She quipped that she could find nothing in the Ramayana mandating pre-Diwali cleaning.
Who is Pavitra Punia?
Pavitra Punia is a Mumbai-based Indian television actress known for her roles in popular Hindi TV serials. She is also a public figure with a significant social media following and has previously spoken on social and cultural issues.
