The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation removed actor Dia Mirza’s video from its eco-friendly Diwali campaign after objections from BJP Mumbai chief Ameet Satam, triggering criticism from Union minister Ramdas Athawale and Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane over the civic body’s messaging on pollution-free festivities.
The video, in which Mirza advocated pollution-free celebrations, was taken down from the BMC’s social media handles on Sunday. Campaign videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, along with cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, remained available on the civic body’s X and Instagram accounts, according to the PTI report.
The BMC’s post accompanying Mirza’s video had referred to Bombay High Court directions and stated that bursting firecrackers on public roads, lanes and footpaths was strictly prohibited. The civic messaging linked Diwali celebrations with restrictions intended to address public safety and pollution in the city.
Satam objected to the video in a post on X, tagging the BMC’s official account. “We don’t need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture,” he wrote. The video was removed hours after his objection, according to the report.
Rane questioned whether Diwali and Holi were being singled out in environmental campaigns. Speaking to reporters, he alleged that Hindu festivals were being selectively targeted in the name of environmental protection and said he would raise the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis if the BMC was encouraging such messaging.
Athawale also criticised Mirza’s remarks, saying that Diwali celebrations would lose their significance without firecrackers while adding that pollution should be avoided. He said it was inappropriate for Mirza to make statements that, in his view, hurt Hindu sentiments.
The dispute places the BMC’s public communication on festival-related pollution controls at the centre of a wider political controversy. For the civic administration, the immediate issue is how court-linked restrictions and environmental messaging are communicated to residents while campaigns remain acceptable to political stakeholders and communities.
The supplied report does not state whether the BMC plans to restore Mirza’s video, issue a clarification or alter the campaign. It also does not provide details of any revised communication strategy or further action by the civic body.
