Dia Mirza-BMC controversy: Why has her appeal for a pollution-free Diwali sparked a political row?

A civic awareness campaign urging Mumbaikars to avoid bursting firecrackers in public spaces has turned into a political controversy after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC removed a video featuring actor and environmental activist Dia Mirza hours after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to her inclusionThe video was part of the BMCrsquos campaign promoting environmentally mindful Diwali celebrations including awareness about air and noise pollution and compliance with Bombay High Court directivesDia MirzaWhile videos featuring cricketer Ajinkya Rahane and actors Madhuri Dixit Nishigandha Wad and Harshada Khanvilkar continued to remain on the civic bodyrsquos social media handles Mirzarsquos video was taken down on SundayIn a post on X Satam tagged the BMC and wrote ldquomybmc We donrsquot need lessons on how to celebrate Diwali from deespeak Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culturerdquoSatam lsquoIt is about nationalismrsquoWhen contacted Satam said his objection was not based on religious identity but nationalism He accused Mirza of being part of an ldquoantiIndia gangrdquo and alleged that she was attempting to destabilise the country ldquoIt is not about religious identity but about nationalism Dia Mirza is a part of an antiIndia gang trying to spread anarchy in the country and destabilising the nationAmeet SatamHence we didnrsquot need any preaching from her as far as celebrating Diwali is concerned Since the opposition has also joined hands with antiIndia forces itrsquos natural for them to support or have sympathy for their ally in this effort of spreading anarchyrdquo Satam saidMirza lsquoIt was for public awarenessrsquoDia Mirza actorResponding to the controversy Mirza said her video was intended to encourage responsible celebrations and raise awareness about pollution ldquoDiwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair The video was recorded in the interest of public awareness with the intention of encouraging a healthier and more mindful celebration Air pollution is a matter of public health and every effort towards reducing it is a step towards a better environment for allrdquo she saidMayor questions campaign processMumbai Mayor Ritu Tawade addressed the controversy on Monday saying the celebrities had not been paid for making the videos She said the list of celebrities involved should have been shared with her and that the videos had been uploaded directly to the BMC portal by administrative officialsldquoThe administration is certainly at faultrdquo she said Asked why Mirza had been singled out Tawade said Mumbai was inclusive of all religions and castes but framed the issue as one concerning Hindutva She said BJP workers would respond firmly to anyone speaking against Hindutva irrespective of their religion sect or casteRitu TawdeldquoDia Mirza has previously opposed issues like the Narmada project UCC and even statements shared by Prime Minister Modi Dia Mirza should not be telling Hindu people how to celebrate Diwali Her selective agenda is clear and it is evident that she is against Hindutvardquo Tawade saidThe mayor also clarified that Mirza would not be included in any official BMC programmes While Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi reportedly expressed support for Mirza Tawade said she was representing the position of all BJP corporatorsOpposition questions BMCrsquos decisionKishori Pednekar Leader of the Opposition in the BMC and a former mayor questioned the civic administrationrsquos decision to remove the video following Satamrsquos objection ldquoWho exactly is Ameet Satam Why is he so active in the affairs of the municipal corporation The municipal corporation should answer this If the municipal corporation is going to take down its tweets out of fear of an MLA like Ameet Satam then it would be better to take down the municipal corporationrdquo she saidActivists question the removalCitizen activist Zoru Bhathena questioned why the focus had shifted from the environmental message to person delivering it ldquoAmeet Satam has an issue with the person spreading the message and not the message itself In the past as well Satam has picked up issues only on communal linesrdquo he saidAmeet Satam Mumbai president BJPSumaira Abdulali founder of Awaaz Foundation which campaigns against noise pollution questioned whether a politician could influence the BMCrsquos implementation of court directions ldquoThe crux of the matter is whether a politician can simply reverse what BMC was doing as per court ordersThe Bombay High Court has said very clearly that celebrities should be involved pro bono for spreading social messages Dia Mirza is a Goodwill Ambassador for United Nations Environment Programme and is an obvious choice since she has also posted on environmental issues previouslyrdquo she said ldquoThe HC order clearly states that public roads footpaths and lanes cannot be used for bursting firecrackersrdquo she addedWhat did the civic bodyrsquos deleted post sayThe nowdeleted post stated ldquoIn accordance with the directives of the Honrsquoble Bombay High Court bursting firecrackers on public roads lanes and footpaths is strictly prohibited In this regard actress Mrs Dia Mirza has appealed to citizens not to burst firecrackers and to avoid noise pollutionrdquo