The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has removed a video featuring actor Dia Mirza from its pollution-free Diwali campaign following objections from Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam, triggering a political controversy in the city.
The civic body had urged residents to avoid bursting firecrackers and observe an environment-friendly Diwali in line with a Bombay High Court directive issued amid concerns over Mumbai’s rising air pollution. Several public figures, including Mirza, were included in the campaign.
Mirza’s video, in which she appealed to citizens to avoid noise and air pollution, was taken down on Sunday. Videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, along with cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, continued to remain available on the BMC’s X and Instagram accounts.
Satam had objected to Mirza’s inclusion in a post on X, tagging the civic body’s official account. He wrote that people did not need lessons from Mirza on celebrating Diwali and said that the festival’s traditions were deeply connected with Indian culture.
Within hours of the post, the BMC, headed by Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, removed the actor’s video from its social media platforms.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde told reporters on Monday that Mirza had supported what she described as divisive forces and alleged that the actor had criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the NEET examination issue. Tawde also called Mirza “anti-Hindu” and said she had been blacklisted.
Reacting to the decision, Mirza said in a social media post that she had not accepted any payment from the BMC for the campaign. She added in Hindi, “Koi paise nahi liye hain. Bhalai ka zamana hee nahi raha,” meaning that she had not charged any fee and that there was no goodness left in the present era.
The BMC’s original post accompanying the video said that, under the High Court’s directions, bursting firecrackers on public roads, lanes and footpaths was strictly prohibited.
Opposition leaders questioned the civic body’s decision to remove the video. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and former mayor Kishori Pednekar asked whether the administration had become subordinate to the BJP or its Mumbai president. She alleged that Satam’s interference in the BMC’s routine functioning was increasing and criticised the civic administration for yielding to what she called the BJP leader’s communal agenda.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena corporator Yashwant Killedar also criticised Satam. He said that if the BJP Mumbai chief was so supportive of firecrackers, party office-bearers could burst them outside his residence. Killedar added that Diwali could be observed by lighting even one lamp and one lantern, and questioned whether the BJP endorsed what he called Satam’s “hypocritical Hindutva” in support of firecrackers in the name of religion.
BJP minister Nitesh Rane said Mirza had posted about Diwali but did not offer similar advice during Eid, Muharram or Bakri Eid. He alleged that people like her were opposed to the Sanatan Hindu religion and said he would raise the issue with Chief Minister Fadnavis to prevent such incidents in the future.
Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC said Mirza should understand the significance of the Festival of Lights and maintained that people were aware of the need to reduce pollution and avoid firecrackers.
Union minister Ramdas Athawale said the controversy should not be viewed through the lens of any particular community. He noted that the Constitution, drafted under the leadership of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, provides every religion the right to celebrate its festivals. Athawale said that, just as Muslims celebrate Eid and observe Ramadan, Hindus also take part in those celebrations. At the same time, he acknowledged that avoiding firecrackers could affect the traditional significance of Diwali but stressed the need to remain concerned about excessive pollution.
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