Bombay High Court orders BMC to restore Dia Mirza Diwali video

The Bombay High Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to re-upload an anti-pollution awareness video featuring actor Dia Mirza. The video, which urged Mumbai residents to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali by avoiding firecrackers on public roads, was removed from the civic body’s social media accounts following political objections.

Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam and Mayor Ritu Tawde had criticized the inclusion of Mirza in the campaign. Tawde accused the actress of being “anti-Hindu” and suggested she was pursuing a selective agenda, while Satam stated that citizens did not need lessons on how to celebrate traditions from her.

A division bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Neela K Gokhale expressed “deep pain and displeasure” over the controversy, criticizing the “petty mindset” of certain political representatives. The court emphasized that India is a secular country and noted that the campaign was a matter of public health and environmental protection, stating, “Everyone is breathing the same air, be it anyone.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis remarked that the deletion of the video was the BMC’s prerogative as the owner of the social media handle, characterizing the dispute as a minor matter. Meanwhile, Ameet Satam denied that his objections were based on religion, alleging instead that they were due to the actress’s purported links to anti-national elements.