The Bombay High Court has intervened in the controversy surrounding Dia Mirza’s Diwali awareness appeal, directing the BMC to restore a video it removed after objections from BJP leaders.
Actor Dia Mirza’s appeal for a more pollution-conscious Diwali has received judicial backing, with the Bombay High Court asking the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to put her awareness video back on its social media platforms.
The video became controversial after the civic body withdrew it following objections from political representatives. Mirza had featured in the BMC’s Diwali campaign, which encouraged people to avoid bursting firecrackers on public roads in view of pollution concerns and existing court restrictions.
During Tuesday’s hearing, November 3, a bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Dr Neela Gokhale took exception to the political remarks directed at the actor over her involvement in the initiative. The judges also invoked India’s secular character while underlining that directions issued by courts in the public interest must be respected.
The video had been removed after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam and Mayor Ritu Tawde raised objections to Mirza’s message. Tawde questioned why the actor was participating in a campaign regarding Diwali celebrations and alleged that her criticism was directed at Hindutva and its supporters. She also argued that people did not need celebrities telling them how to observe the festival.
Mirza had maintained that her participation was not driven by any religious or political position. In a statement to IANS on Monday, she explained that the recording was made in response to the High Court’s directions and was meant to draw attention to the health implications of air pollution.
The actor also pointed out that the message was consistent with the spirit of Diwali, describing it as a celebration of light, knowledge and hope. She stressed that reducing pollution was a shared public health responsibility.
The BMC’s campaign was not limited to Mirza. Actor Madhuri Dixit and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane were among the other familiar faces who appeared in the initiative, encouraging people to celebrate with greater environmental awareness. However, Mirza’s video became the center of a political dispute, eventually prompting the civic body to take it down.