BMC removes Dia Mirza's Diwali video after BJP objection, sparking a political row

The video and its removal

The BMC had launched a campaign urging citizens to celebrate Diwali in an environment-friendly manner, in line with a Bombay High Court directive, amid rising air pollution in Mumbai. Several celebrities were roped in to spread the message, including Dia Mirza, actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane.

Mirza's clip appealed to citizens to avoid bursting firecrackers and celebrate an environment-friendly Diwali. The BMC's post accompanying her video stated that, in accordance with the High Court's directives, bursting firecrackers on public roads, lanes and footpaths was strictly prohibited.

The video was removed from the civic body's social media pages on 1 November, within hours of Satam objecting to her inclusion in a post on X tagging the BMC's official account. Satam wrote: 'We don't need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture.' Campaign videos featuring Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad and Ajinkya Rahane continued to remain on the civic body's pages.

Mirza's response

Reacting to the controversy, Mirza said in a social media post that she had not charged any fee for the campaign, writing in Hindi that there was no goodness left in the era. Speaking to news agency ANI, she questioned the criticism of a video recorded in public interest, saying: 'Why should anyone be critical of a video that the Honourable Bombay High Court and BMC have made me record in public interest? Air pollution is an area of concern and all efforts to reduce pollution should be welcomed because it is a matter of public health.'

She also said the message was recorded to encourage a healthier and more mindful celebration.

The mayor and BJP leaders defend the removal

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde defended the removal on 2 November, saying Mirza had always been 'anti-Hindu' and had been blacklisted. Tawde said the actor had sided with divisive forces, had trolled Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the NEET examination issue, and had opposed the Narmada project and the Uniform Civil Code. She also warned the administration that it should seek her clearance in future before engaging celebrities for civic campaigns.

Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane said it was wrong for the BMC to promote people like Mirza, arguing that she had spoken about Diwali firecrackers but never offered similar advice during Eid, Muharram or Bakri Eid, and that people like her were against the Sanatan Hindu religion. BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay also criticised the appeal, accusing Bollywood personalities of raising objections to Hindu festivals, while Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC said Mirza should know the significance of Diwali and the need to be mindful of pollution.

Opposition and allies push back

Opposition leaders criticised the civic body for taking down the clip, questioning whether the administration had acted under political pressure. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar asked whether the civic administration had become a slave of the BJP or its Mumbai president, and said Mirza should not be targeted because of her name.

MNS corporator Yashwant Killedar also criticised Satam, asking whether party office-bearers should burst as many crackers as they wished outside his residence, and whether the BJP approved of what he called hypocritical Hindutva. The BJP's ally Shiv Sena, however, said it did not find anything inappropriate in the message. Deputy mayor Sanjay Ghadi said he did not think Mirza had said anything wrong in her appeal and did not know why Satam or the BJP found it inappropriate. Union minister Ramdas Athawale said the issue should not be linked to any particular community, noting that every religion has the right to celebrate its festivals under the Constitution.

Editorial disclosure

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