Bombay High Court Rebukes BJP Leaders Over Dia Mirza Video Controversy
The Bombay High Court expressed displeasure over comments from BJP leaders regarding Dia Mirzas video urging eco-friendly Diwali celebrations.
Mumbai, November 3 (Daily Kiran) : A dispute that began over firecrackers during Diwali has escalated to the Bombay High Court. The court expressed its displeasure after the removal of a video featuring Bollywood actress Dia Mirza, in which she urged people not to burst firecrackers during the festival.
Justices Girish Kulkarni and Dr. Neela Gokhale voiced their frustration during the hearing, particularly regarding comments made by certain political leaders. They reminded everyone that India is a secular nation and ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to repost the removed video on its social media platforms.
The BMC had initially shared Mirza’s video on November 1, where she appealed to the public to consider the environment and their health during Diwali celebrations. She emphasized that pollution from firecrackers poses a danger to everyone and that the festival should be celebrated with joy rather than noise. Accompanying the video, the BMC noted that, according to Bombay High Court directives, bursting firecrackers on public roads, streets, and sidewalks is prohibited.
However, shortly after the video was posted, Mumbai BJP president Amit Satam raised objections. He tagged the BMC on social media, stating, “We don’t need to learn how to celebrate Diwali from Dia Mirza. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture.” Following his remarks, the BMC removed Mirza’s video from its account.
Besides Dia Mirza, several other celebrities, including Madhuri Dixit, cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, and Marathi actress Nishigandha Wad, were part of the BMC’s awareness campaign. All their videos remained online, raising questions about why only Mirza’s was targeted for removal despite similar messages.
In response to the video’s removal, Dia Mirza expressed her disappointment. She clarified that the video was created to raise awareness, following the directives of the Bombay High Court and the BMC. She emphasized that air pollution is a serious concern and that any efforts to mitigate it should be welcomed. Mirza has been actively working on environmental issues and air quality for over a decade.
