BMC removes Dia Mirza's pollution-free Diwali video after BJP's Satam objects, sparking row

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has removed from its social media pages a video of actor Dia Mirza in which she appealed to people to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali. The move came after an objection from Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam, and has triggered a political row over the civic body's decision.

Dia Mirza's video urged people not to spread noise and air pollution during the festival. It was taken down on Sunday. Videos from the same campaign featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane are still visible on the BMC's X and Instagram pages.

In a post on X tagging the BMC's official account, Satam had questioned Dia Mirza's appeal. He wrote, "We do not need to learn from Dia Mirza how to celebrate Diwali. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture." A few hours after his remark, the corporation, led by Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, removed the video from the pages. The BMC has not said why it was removed.

Dia Mirza's clip was part of the corporation's campaign asking people to celebrate Diwali while keeping down the pollution caused by firecrackers and other activities. Other celebrities are making similar appeals and their videos remain up. Questions are therefore being raised over whether the campaign's approach has changed, given that only one video was removed.

AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan targeted Satam. He wrote on X, "Mr Ameet Satam, why are you targeting only Dia Mirza, when Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad also made the same appeal on behalf of the BMC? Same appeal, same High Court direction, yet a different reaction? This is not standing up for tradition, it is selective outrage and a clear double standard. Why is Dia Mirza your target? Is it because her name is Dia Mirza?"

Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said the controversy should not be seen through the lens of any particular community. According to him, the Constitution gives every religion the right to celebrate its festivals. Athawale said, "As I understand it, Dia Mirza is a film actor and belongs to the Muslim community, but this is not a matter of any particular community. India is a country where the Constitution given by Dr B.R. Ambedkar gives every religion the right to celebrate its festivals. Just as Muslims celebrate Eid and observe Ramzan, people of the Hindu community also take part in these celebrations. They respect the way Muslims celebrate their festivals. In the same way, Hindus celebrate Diwali. If firecrackers are not burst, the significance of Diwali may diminish somewhat. But we should also be concerned about excessive pollution."

Shiv Sena national spokesperson Shaina NC also gave her view. She said citizens should be mindful of pollution and put health and safety first during Diwali. Shaina said, "Dia Mirza, whose very name means light, should know that Diwali is called the festival of lights. Every citizen understands that it is important to be mindful of pollution and not burst firecrackers, so that we remain safe, because life and health come first."

The row arises against the backdrop of a September direction of the Bombay High Court. Hearing a matter during Ganeshotsav, a bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale banned the bursting of firecrackers on public roads, both day and night. The bench had said festivals should be celebrated without noise and air pollution. It described the use of loudspeakers, DJs and laser beams in religious processions as "totally unnecessary".

The High Court said, "Are all these loudspeakers and firecrackers going to bring us extra blessings from God? As a responsible society, we must stop all this." The court had taken suo motu cognisance of the heavy noise and air pollution caused by processions. It said bursting firecrackers on roads is dangerous and also adds to toxic pollution. In the court's words, "There should be no firecrackers at all. Why should firecrackers be allowed on public roads in a city like Mumbai? This is the time when air pollution begins in Mumbai and smog sets in. This has to be stopped."

The BMC has also not clarified whether Dia Mirza's video was removed because of Satam's objection or for some other reason. The corporation has likewise said nothing on whether the remaining campaign videos will be kept or taken down.