The Bombay high court said that it was “unfortunate” that Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had removed from its social media pages the video of actress Dia Mirza urging citizens to avoid crackers as part of the anti-pollution drive. It suggested the post to be “put back” to restore people’s confidence.
The court said, it was disturbed by comments in regard to celebrities who had participated and assisted in public cause. It remarked, “There could not have been any other colour which could be given, and more particularly, when there are court directions.” It wondered, “How do you object to a person’s participation? Are we not a secular country?”
BJP’s Ameet Satam had complained against Dia’s video which was then pulled down by the BMC. Dia Mirza is the UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador.
Celebrities were roped in by the BMC for the Diwali campaign on the Bombay high court’s nudge amid rising pollution levels. BMC posted her clip on November 1. In the video, she said, “While celebrating Diwali, we should take care of the environment and our health. Pollution caused by firecrackers is harmful to all of us… Celebrate Diwali not with noise but happiness.” In a post on X the same night, Ameet Satam said, “We don’t need lessons on how to celebrate Diwali from [Mirza]. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture.” Soon after, the civic body took down Dia’s video.
Opposition MPs slammed the BMC and the BJP and wondered if Mirza had been targeted because of her religious identity.
