03 November,2026 05:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rohit Pawar asked whether Dia Mirza had been targeted because of a religious angle or some other consideration. File Pic
Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) MLA Rohit Pawar has questioned why actress Dia Mirza was singled out over her Diwali awareness video, after the Bombay High Court directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to re-upload the video.
Speaking to reporters, Rohit Pawar pointed out that several other actors and cricketers had also made videos carrying the same message using a statement provided by the civic body.
He questioned why objections were raised only against Mirza by government leaders, MLAs and Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam.
Reacting to the Bombay High Court's order, Pawar said several public figures had delivered the same message in videos prepared using the BMC's statement.
"Several other actors and cricketers were given the same statement by the BMC and made videos delivering the same message. However, government leaders, MLAs and BJP Mumbai president Satam raised objections only against Dia Mirza," Pawar said, according to the IANS.
Questioning the reason behind the objections, he asked whether Mirza had been targeted because of a religious angle or some other consideration.
Pawar maintained that the BMC itself had provided the statement and that other personalities had also used it to deliver the same appeal.
"Raising objections only against Dia Mirza when others made the same appeal is wrong," he said.
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday expressed deep displeasure over the controversy surrounding actor Dia Mirza's video for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) eco-friendly and firecracker-free Diwali campaign.
The court directed the civic body to re-upload the video, which was taken down following objections from some BJP leaders and Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde.
A bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale said it was anguished by the "petty mindset" of certain people, particularly those holding public positions. The judges said it was unfortunate that a video intended to spread awareness about environmental protection and air and noise pollution had been given a different colour, according to the PTI.
The court said the BMC Commissioner was absolutely right in selecting celebrities to promote awareness about an eco-friendly Diwali. It expressed regret that unnecessary issues had been raised over the campaign, the news agency reported.
The bench also questioned the decision to remove Dia Mirza's video after the controversy and directed the BMC to upload the clip again.
The judges cautioned those who had objected to the video, emphasising that every person must be respected irrespective of religion, caste or creed.
"There has to be a secular spirit, and the Constitution expects citizens to foster the same. If the clip was taken off, then it would be ideal that the same should be re-uploaded," the court said, as per the PTI.
Observing that Mumbai's strength lies in togetherness and a sense of belonging, the bench said such harmony should not be disturbed by "loose comments".
(with PTI and IANS inputs)
