Bombay High Court Expresses 'Deep Pain and Displeasure' Over Removal of Dia Mirza’s Anti-Cracker Video, Orders BMC to Re-upload It
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The Bombay High Court has expressed deep pain and displeasure over the removal of actor Dia Mirza’s anti-cracker Diwali video from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) social media accounts, calling the decision “unfortunate” and directing the civic body to restore the video.
The video, which urged citizens to avoid firecrackers and reduce noise and air pollution during the festival, was removed from the BMC’s social media accounts following objections from Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam.
The court expressed displeasure over the incident while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) concerning firecracker pollution and Diwali celebrations.
Bombay HC Says No One Should Be Excluded From Festival
The High Court said goodwill messages from celebrities should not be removed from the civic body's social media platforms.
“We would desire that in the event any goodwill message of any celebrity was taken off from the Corporation’s social media, it would be ideal if the same is put back,” the court observed.
Referring to the Supreme Court's observations on Diwali celebrations, the judges said the festival was meant for everyone and no person should be isolated from its celebrations.
The court also expressed concern over comments targeting celebrities who had participated in public awareness campaigns.
Describing the episode as unfortunate, it said the decision appeared to have been taken without considering the purpose of the court's directions and the objective of spreading awareness.
BJP Leader Ameet Satam Objects to Dia Mirza's Video
The controversy began after Ameet Satam objected to the BMC's decision to include celebrity messages promoting an environmentally conscious Diwali in its campaign.
On Monday, Satam linked appeals against firecracker use with the 'tukde tukde gang' and alleged that anti-India forces were attempting to dictate how Hindus should celebrate the festival.
He said Diwali had been celebrated for thousands of years and that people did not need lessons from anyone on how to observe it.
Satam also questioned why the BMC had invited celebrities to participate in the campaign without consulting the BJP, which controls the civic body.
Following his objections, the BMC, led by Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, removed Mirza's video from its social media accounts on Sunday.
Videos of Other Celebrities Remain Online
The removal of Mirza's video also raised questions about the BMC's treatment of other celebrity messages in the same campaign.
Videos featuring actor Madhuri Dixit, actor Nishigandha Wad and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane continued to remain available on the civic body's X and Instagram accounts.
The Bombay High Court's observations came amid the controversy over the removal of Mirza's video and its message against noise and air pollution.
Aaditya Thackeray Targets BJP Over Controversy
Reacting to the court's intervention, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray criticised the BJP-led administration in the BMC.
He accused the civic administration of turning municipal governance into a spectacle and questioned the mayor's priorities.
Thackeray also alleged that the controversy had shifted attention from civic responsibilities to the religious identity of a celebrity participating in an anti-pollution campaign.
The High Court has asked the BMC to restore Dia Mirza's video, emphasising that environmental awareness messages should not become a reason to exclude anyone from the celebration of Diwali.
