What is the significance of fire crackers during the Deepavali festival?

[An online spiritual discussion was conducted on November 14, 2020, in which several devotees participated. Some of the questions of devotees answered by Swāmi are given below.]

[Śrī Bharath Krishna asked: Swāmi, the custom of lighting fire-crackers during the festival of Dīpāvalī has become a very big issue on social media. The majority of Hindus are complaining that the issues such pollution due to Hindu customs are only brought up during Hindu festivals. Hindus say that fire crackers are the most important aspect of Dīpāvalī and that children enjoy them very much. They say that other religions are intentionally attacking only Hindu festivals and that their fun cannot be taken away in the name of reducing pollution. They say that compared to the pollution caused by industries and vehicles that happens all round the year, the pollution caused by crackers is negligible. Could You kindly give Your opinion about these comments?]

Swāmi replied: O Learned and Devoted Servants of God! The arguments given seem to be politically motivated since there is no trace of truth in them. First, we do not support the pollution caused by industries or vehicles. We also oppose the pollution caused by other religions by lighting candles and other substances of fragrance. When God Kṛṣṇa killed Naraka demon, at the end of the Dvāpara age, fire-crackers did not exist at all. Where is the authority (e.g. scriptural statement) that says that fire-crackers should be lit on Dīpāvalī? Children can get enjoyment in many ways and polluting practices are not the only way to get enjoyment. Even lighting oil lamps causes pollution. In the olden days, there was no other way than to light an oil lamp since electricity or kerosene did not exist. Light is required for you and not for God, who is the source of light of the sun, moon and stars (Tasya bhāsā…—Veda). Of course, you can light a lamp at night in the absence of alternatives. Oil and ghee are precious foods. Food should not be burnt like this, as said by the Veda (Annaṃ na paricakṣīta…). Precious food materials such as oil can be donated to poor people, who can use the oil to cook food. With this, their life-lamps will glow for a longer time. The energy obtained from food cooked in oil or ghee can be used in learning spiritual knowledge and in singing divine songs on God by those poor people. God will be greatly pleased only with the donor giving such a donation.

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