Bombay HC: Celebrities should join pollution awareness drives free, public money not to be spent

The Bombay High Court has criticised Bollywood celebrities who allegedly demanded fees to take part in awareness campaigns against air and noise pollution. The court said public money should not be spent on inviting celebrities for social causes.

A division bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale made the remarks on Monday. The bench spoke after the Maharashtra government told the court that some celebrities were not willing to take part without payment.

The bench said celebrities who have benefited from Mumbai should contribute voluntarily to efforts to protect the city's environment. The court also suggested approaching Marathi actors who are willing to take part without charging a fee.

On pollution caused by firecrackers, the bench stressed that awareness campaigns against it should not stop at festivals but continue after them. The court appealed for outreach to more people in schools and in slum areas, where firecrackers are allegedly burst until late at night.

The court directed the authorities to use advertisements, social media, public announcements and local representatives to raise awareness among people. Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said noise-related complaints can be registered on its existing helpline, 1916.

The court also stressed the need to balance celebration with environmental responsibility. To prevent violations of the rules, it asked civic officials, the police and pollution control officials to work together.

The matter will be heard next on November 25.