BMC takes down actor Dia Mirza's pollution-free Diwali video after BJP leader's objection

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has deleted a video featuring actor Dia Mirza from its pollution-free Diwali campaign after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to her inclusion, sparking a controversy.

The BMC had appealed to citizens to avoid bursting firecrackers and celebrate an environment-friendly Diwali following a Bombay High Court directive amid rising air pollution in the city. As part of the campaign, the civic body roped in several celebrities, including Dia Mirza.

While Mirza's clip urging people to avoid noise and air pollution was removed on Sunday, campaign videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, as well as cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, have been retained on the BMC's X and Instagram pages.


Mirza’s video was deleted after Satam objected to it in a post on X, tagging the BMC's official account.

"We don't need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture," the BJP leader wrote.

Within hours of Satam's comment, the civic body led by Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide removed Mirza's video from its social media pages.

Mayor Ritu Tawde told reporters on Monday, “Dia Mirza has always sided with divisive forces. She had trolled PM Modi on the NEET exam issue.” “She has always been anti-Hindu. We have blacklisted her,” she added.

An upset Dia Mirza said in a post on social media, “Koi paise nahi liye hain. Bhalai ka zamana hee nahi raha (I did not charge (BMC) any fee (for the Diwali campaign). There is no goodness left in this era).

The BMC's post accompanying Mirza's video had stated that in accordance with the High Court's directives, bursting firecrackers on public roads, lanes and footpaths was strictly prohibited.

Opposition leaders criticised the civic body for taking down the clip.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and former mayor Kishori Pednekar questioned whether the civic administration had "become a slave of the BJP or its Mumbai president".

Satam's interference in the civic body's day-to-day functioning is increasing with each passing day, she alleged, adding that the administration should not have succumbed to what she termed the BJP leader's "communal agenda".

MNS corporator Yashwant Killedar slammed Satam, saying that if the BJP Mumbai president was so fond of firecrackers, party office-bearers should burst as many crackers as they wished outside his residence.

"Our Diwali can be celebrated even by lighting a single lamp and a lantern. Does the BJP approve of Satam's brand of 'hypocritical Hindutva' that supports bursting firecrackers in the name of religion?" he asked.

BJP minister Nitesh Rane said, "Dia Mirza tweeted about Diwali, but she never tweets or offers such advice during Eid, Muharram or Bakri Eid.”

“People like her are against the Sanatan Hindu religion. I will discuss this issue with CM Fadnavis and focus on preventing such matters in the future,” he said.

Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC said, “Dia Mirza, whose name itself means light, should know that the Festival of Lights refers to Diwali. Everyone knows the need to be mindful of pollution and avoid bursting firecrackers.”

Union minister Ramdas Athawale said, “Dia Mirza belongs to the Muslim community, but this is not a matter of any particular community. In India, the Constitution given by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar grants every religion the right to celebrate its festivals.”

“Just as Muslims celebrate Eid and observe Ramadan, members of the Hindu community also participate in these celebrations. If firecrackers are not burst, Diwali may lose some of its significance. However, we must also be concerned about excessive pollution,” he said.