Political Fallout from Diwali Pollution Awareness Campaign in Mumbai

Mumbai, November 2 (Daily Kiran) : The celebration of Diwali in Mumbai has sparked a political controversy following actress Dia Mirza‘s call for reduced pollution during the festival. Initially, Amit Satam, the Mumbai BJP president, objected to Mirza’s message, leading the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to remove her video from their social media platforms.

Central Minister Ramdas Athawale expressed his displeasure over Mirza’s comments, stating that she comes from a different religious background and may lack adequate knowledge about the festival. He emphasized that the Constitution allows all religions to celebrate their festivals freely. While he acknowledged the need to control pollution, he argued that celebrating Diwali without fireworks loses its significance. He also highlighted that guidelines have already been issued allowing certain types of fireworks.

Athawale criticized Mirza’s remarks, suggesting they could hurt the sentiments of the Hindu community. BJP leader Shrikant Bharati also targeted Mirza, suggesting she should reflect on her own traditions before advising others on how to celebrate Diwali. He pointed out that the Hindu community has long been concerned about the environment and that citizens know how to celebrate the festival without needing guidance from Mirza.

BJP legislator Sanjay Upadhyay connected this issue to other Hindu festivals, noting that some Bollywood celebrities and so-called intellectuals frequently raise concerns during these celebrations. He mentioned the environmental damage caused by wars, comparing it to the local pollution from Diwali fireworks.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC weighed in, reminding that Dia Mirza’s name itself means ‘lamp’ and that Diwali is a festival of light. She stressed the importance of being mindful of pollution and prioritizing health and safety.

The BMC had launched an awareness campaign for a pollution-free Diwali in response to rising air pollution levels in Mumbai. Following directives from the Bombay High Court, citizens were urged to refrain from using fireworks and to celebrate the festival with environmental considerations in mind. The campaign featured several celebrities, including Dia Mirza, Madhuri Dixit, and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, who encouraged reduced use of fireworks to mitigate noise and air pollution.

However, after the backlash from BJP leaders, the BMC promptly removed Mirza’s video from its social media accounts.