The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has removed actor Dia Mirza’s video from its pollution-free Diwali campaign after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to her inclusion, triggering a political dispute over the civic body’s public-health messaging and administrative independence.
The video urged Mumbai residents to avoid firecrackers and celebrate an environment-friendly Diwali. The BMC had launched the campaign in line with directives of the Bombay High Court, which stated that bursting firecrackers on public roads, lanes and footpaths was prohibited. Campaign videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane continued to remain on the BMC’s X and Instagram accounts, according to the report.
Satam objected to Mirza’s inclusion in a post on X, writing that citizens did not need lessons from her on how to celebrate Diwali and that the festival’s traditions were rooted in Indian culture. The BMC removed Mirza’s video from its social media pages within hours of the post. The civic body is led by Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide.
Mirza defended the message, saying it addressed air pollution as a public-health concern. “Why should anyone be critical of a video that the Honourable Bombay High Court and BMC have made me record in public interest?” she said in comments reported by ANI. “Air Pollution is an area of concern and all efforts to reduce pollution should be welcomed because it’s a matter of public health.”
In a separate social media post, Mirza said she had not charged the BMC for participating in the campaign. The actor has previously spoken publicly about environmental issues, while the civic campaign sought to use public figures to communicate restrictions and pollution concerns during the festival period.
Mayor Ritu Tawde defended the removal and made personal remarks about Mirza. Speaking to reporters, Tawde accused the actor of having “always” sided with “divisive forces”, referred to her criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the NEET examination issue and said she had been “blacklisted”. Those remarks were reported as part of the mayor’s response to the controversy.
Opposition leaders questioned whether the civic administration had acted under political pressure. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar criticised what she described as growing interference by Satam in the BMC’s functioning. MNS corporator Yashwant Killedar also criticised the BJP leader’s position on firecrackers and argued that Diwali could be observed by lighting lamps and lanterns.
BJP minister Nitesh Rane questioned why Mirza had spoken about pollution during Diwali but not during other religious festivals. Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC said the actor should recognise Diwali’s cultural significance while also acknowledging the need to limit pollution. Union minister Ramdas Athawale said the dispute should not be linked to any community, while noting that festival celebrations and concerns about excessive pollution both required consideration.
The episode has placed the BMC’s campaign between two public responsibilities: communicating court-backed restrictions and pollution concerns, and managing political sensitivities around religious celebrations. The civic body’s next public communication on the campaign and the status of its remaining videos will determine whether the controversy affects its broader Diwali pollution-awareness effort.
