Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 3: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday expressed strong displeasure over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) decision to remove an environmental awareness video featuring actor Dia Mirza from its Diwali campaign, describing the controversy as unfortunate and calling for the video to be restored.
A division bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale said it was disturbed by comments directed at celebrities who had supported the civic body's campaign to create awareness about the harmful effects of firecrackers.
Emphasising that environmental protection concerns everyone irrespective of religion or caste, the bench observed that India was a secular country and that all citizens breathed the same air.
"We are a secular country. We are really hurt by this. The issue pertains to the environment and every person, irrespective of their religion and caste, is breathing the same air," the bench observed.
The court asked the BMC to restore Mirza's video, stating that doing so could help restore public confidence in the Constitution. It also cautioned against allowing loose comments to disturb Mumbai's spirit of togetherness.
The controversy began after Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam objected to Mirza's inclusion in the civic body's pollution-awareness campaign. In the video, the actor had urged citizens to avoid firecrackers and celebrate Diwali without contributing to noise and air pollution.
Satam criticised the actor's participation, alleging that people did not need advice from what he described as "anti-India forces and members of tukde tukde gang" on how to celebrate Diwali, arguing that Indian traditions were deeply rooted in culture.
Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane also objected to the video, questioning why Mirza did not offer similar advice during Eid, Muharram or Bakri Eid.
Hours after Satam's objection, the BMC removed the video from its social media accounts without issuing a public explanation. Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde subsequently defended the decision and accused the actor of taking an "anti-Hindu stand".
The civic body had enlisted several public figures for its environmental campaign, including actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane. Their awareness videos continue to remain available on the BMC's social media platforms.
The campaign was undertaken following directions from the Bombay High Court to create public awareness about the harmful effects of firecrackers and encourage celebrities to participate in the initiative.
The court is hearing a suo motu public interest litigation and related petitions concerning pollution caused by firecrackers during festivals. During Tuesday's proceedings, the bench stressed that the campaign's environmental message should not be overshadowed by controversies surrounding the personalities involved.