02 November,2026 02:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
File Photo
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has removed a video message by actor Dia Mirza promoting an eco-friendly Diwali from its social media platforms following objections from Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam, triggering a political controversy over the civic body's decision.
Mirza's video, which urged people to avoid noise and air pollution during the festival, was removed on Sunday. However, campaign videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, as well as cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, continued to remain on the BMC's X and Instagram pages.
The move came after Satam objected to Mirza's message in a post on X, tagging the civic body's official account and questioning the actor's appeal on celebrating the festival.
"We don't need lessons on how to celebrate Diwali from Dia Mirza. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture," the BJP leader wrote.
Within hours of Satam's comment, the civic body, led by Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, removed Mirza's video from its social media pages.
The BMC has not issued any clarification on why the video was deleted.
Mirza's clip was part of a civic campaign encouraging residents to celebrate Diwali while limiting pollution caused by firecrackers and other activities.
Satam's objection has drawn attention to the campaign, particularly as videos featuring other celebrities making similar appeals have remained online.
The selective removal of Mirza's message has raised questions about the civic body's decision and whether the campaign's approach to promoting an eco-friendly Diwali has changed.
The controversy widened after AIMIM national spokesperson Waris Pathan criticised Satam for singling out Mirza, pointing out that other celebrities had made similar appeals as part of the BMC campaign.
In a post on X, Pathan said, "Mr. Ameet Satam why single out Dia Mirza when Madhuri Dixit, and Nishigandha Wad made the very same appeal on behalf of BMC. Same appeal, same High Court directive, but different reactions? That's not standing up for tradition; that's selective outrage and a glaring double standard. Why is Dia Mirza your target? Naam Dia Mirza hai?"
Pathan questioned why Satam had objected to Mirza's message while similar videos featuring Dixit and Wad continued to remain on the civic body's social media accounts.
His remarks added a political dimension to the controversy, with the dispute now centred on the BMC's decision to remove one video while retaining others promoting the same message.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said the controversy should not be viewed through the lens of any particular religious community, emphasising that the Constitution guarantees every religion the right to celebrate its festivals.
Speaking to IANS, Athawale said, "I think Dia Mirza is a film actress and belongs to the Muslim community, but this is not a matter of any particular community. India is a country where the Constitution given by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar grants every religion the right to celebrate its festivals. As you know, just as Muslims celebrate Eid and observe Ramadan, members of the Hindu community also participate in these celebrations. They respect the way Muslims celebrate their festivals. Similarly, people from the Hindu community celebrate Diwali. If firecrackers are not burst, Diwali may lose some of its significance. However, we must also be concerned about excessive pollution."
Athawale said that while people should be allowed to celebrate their festivals, concerns over excessive pollution also needed to be addressed.
Shiv Sena national spokesperson Shaina NC also weighed in on the controversy, saying that citizens should remain mindful of pollution and prioritise health and safety during Diwali celebrations.
Speaking to IANS, Shaina said, "Dia Mirza, whose name itself means light, should know that the Festival of Lights refers to Diwali. Every citizen understands the need to be mindful of pollution and avoid bursting firecrackers so that we can remain safe, because life and health come first."
The controversy comes against the backdrop of the Bombay High Court's September directive banning the bursting of firecrackers on public roads, both during the day and at night, while stressing that festivals must be celebrated without causing noise and air pollution.
A bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale, hearing the matter amid the Ganesh festival, said the use of loudspeakers, DJs and laser beams during religious processions was "completely unwarranted".
"Are we going to get additional blessings from God by using all these loudspeakers and firecrackers? As a responsible society, we should put an end to all this," the High Court said.
The court took suo motu cognizance of the severe noise and air pollution caused during processions. It observed that bursting firecrackers on roads was not only dangerous but also contributed to toxic pollution.
"There cannot be firecrackers absolutely. Why should firecrackers even be permitted on public roads in a city like Mumbai? This is the time air pollution starts in Mumbai, and a haze sets in. This needs to be stopped," the court said.
The court's observations have added to the debate over the use of firecrackers during festivals, particularly in Mumbai, where air pollution levels typically rise during the festive season.
The civic body has not publicly explained whether Mirza's video was removed in response to Satam's objection or for any other reason.
The BMC has also not clarified whether it intends to remove or retain the other campaign videos.
The controversy comes amid efforts by civic authorities to encourage residents to limit noise and air pollution during Diwali celebrations.
