BMC Should Repost Dia Mirza’s Pollution-Free Diwali Video: Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi

The removal of actress Dia Mirza’s video promoting a pollution-free Diwali from social media has triggered a controversy. Mumbai Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi has urged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to repost the video, saying there was nothing objectionable in its message that warranted its removal.

Ghadi said he had earlier requested the BMC to widely publicise the Bombay High Court’s appeals and directions concerning pollution control. According to him, the court had suggested involving film personalities, sportspersons and other well-known figures to spread awareness about reducing pollution in Mumbai.

Several Celebrities Shared Awareness Videos

Ghadi said that several public figures, including Madhuri Dixit, Ajinkya Rahane and Nishigandha Wad, had also shared awareness videos in collaboration with the civic body.

Dia Mirza had similarly provided a video carrying a message about reducing pollution. The BMC had posted it on its official 'MyBMC' social media account.

The Deputy Mayor said he found nothing objectionable in the video. He maintained that Dia Mirza had neither made any remarks against Hindus nor expressed support for Muslims. Her message, he said, was simply about celebrating Diwali with happiness while reducing noise and pollution.

BJP MLA's Remarks Triggered Controversy

Ghadi said that after the video was posted, BJP MLA and Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar commented on his X account that actresses such as Dia Mirza, or anyone else, should not tell people how to celebrate their festivals.

Responding to this position, Ghadi said the actress had not lectured anyone but had only appealed for a pollution-free Diwali. He also described the removal of the video as inappropriate.

According to Ghadi, inviting a public figure to participate in a campaign to reduce pollution and subsequently removing their awareness video amounts to disrespecting that person.

Deputy Mayor Refers to Bombay High Court Proceedings

Ghadi also referred to an order passed by a Bombay High Court division bench in a suo motu matter. He said the bench, comprising Justice Gokhale and Justice Kulkarni, had observed during the proceedings that India is a country of people belonging to different religions and that the rights guaranteed to every citizen under the Constitution must be respected.

Ghadi called on the BMC to repost Dia Mirza’s video. However, the precise scope of the court's observations and directions would need to be verified against the full text of the relevant judicial order.

The controversy has brought attention to the debate over balancing public health and pollution-control messages with the religious and cultural sensitivities associated with festivals.