The Bombay High Court has criticised the controversy surrounding actor Dia Mirza’s video for Mumbai’s eco-friendly, firecracker-free Diwali campaign and directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to re-upload the clip after it was removed following political objections.
According to The Economic Times, the court expressed “deep pain and displeasure” over the incident on Tuesday, saying the environmental message was intended for the benefit of everyone, regardless of religion or caste.
The controversy erupted on Monday after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to Mirza’s participation in the campaign, while Mayor Ritu Tawde labelled the actor “anti-Hindu”. The civic body subsequently removed Mirza’s video from its social media platforms, although campaign clips featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, as well as cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, remained online.
The court backed the BMC commissioner’s decision to select celebrities for the awareness campaign, stating that no one should question why a particular celebrity was chosen to promote public awareness.
“What happened yesterday is the most unfortunate, to say the least. We are deeply pained by what has happened. Such a knee-jerk reaction was unwarranted,” the court observed.
It also cautioned those who raised objections, stressing that everyone deserved respect irrespective of religion, caste or creed. The bench said citizens were expected to uphold the secular spirit of the Constitution and foster goodwill and togetherness.
The court further criticised the BMC for removing the video in response to the controversy and instructed the civic body to restore it.
Mirza’s video urged people to celebrate Diwali without firecrackers to reduce noise and air pollution. The court emphasised that anyone could advocate for environmental protection and that such efforts should not be turned into a divisive issue.
