The controversy erupted after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation pulled a campaign clip featuring Dia Mirza following objections from local BJP leadership. While Mirza's segment advising citizens against firecrackers was removed and drew public condemnation from the mayor, identical campaign videos featuring figures like Madhuri Dixit and Ajinkya Rahane remained active. Mirza maintained that her unpaid participation was strictly an effort to support public health and adhere to Bombay High Court air quality directives. Opposition parties seized on the removal, arguing the municipal body compromised its public health mandate under political influence.
Key points
Dia Mirza defended her unpaid participation by highlighting that air pollution mitigation…: Dia Mirza defended her unpaid participation by highlighting that air pollution mitigation is an essential public health concern aligned with court orders.
Opposition figures, including representatives from Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, accused the c…: Opposition figures, including representatives from Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, accused the civic administration of caving to partisan pressure.
Political reactions diverged further as Union Minister Ramdas Athawale insisted the ongoi…: Political reactions diverged further as Union Minister Ramdas Athawale insisted the ongoing festival dispute should not be linked to any single community.
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MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has removed actor Dia Mirza’s video from its pollution-free Diwali campaign after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to her inclusion, triggering a political row, with Mayor Ritu Tawde calling the actor “anti-Hindu” and saying she had been blacklisted.
Mirza, who had appealed to citizens to avoid bursting firecrackers and celebrate an environment-friendly Diwali, questioned the criticism of a campaign based on public interest and the Bombay High Court’s directives.
Speaking to ANI, she said, “Why should anyone be critical of a video that the Honourable Bombay High Court and BMC have made me record in public interest? Air Pollution is an area of concern and all efforts to reduce pollution should be welcomed because its a matter of public health.”
The BMC had launched the campaign amid rising air pollution in Mumbai, urging citizens to celebrate Diwali in an environment-friendly manner in line with a Bombay High Court directive.
Several celebrities were roped in to spread the message, including Mirza, actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane.
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