BMC caves after BJP chief objects to Dia Mirza in pollution-free Diwali campaign
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The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation removed a celebrity video featuring Dia Mirza from its anti-pollution Diwali drive after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam attacked her participation, sparking fresh concern over political interference in a civic environmental campaign.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) deleted a video that included actor Dia Mirza as part of its pollution-free Diwali campaign after criticism from Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam. The campaign, launched after a Bombay High Court directive, asked residents to avoid firecrackers and celebrate an environmentally responsible festival. Celebrities such as Madhuri Dixit and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane also recorded messages for the initiative.
Satam posted on X that the city did not need “lessons on how to celebrate Diwali from Dia Mirza,” insisting that the tradition is rooted in local culture. After the post, the BMC removed the video from its social-media channels but gave no official explanation, deepening questions about why a civic body would retreat so quickly under partisan pressure.
Shaina NC, spokesperson for the Shinde Sena, told PTI that Diwali is “the festival of lights” and suggested that Mirza should understand its cultural significance, adding that the campaign was not promoting firecracker use but calling for self-reflection among residents.
Social-media reactions were mixed. Some users questioned the removal, while others praised Satam’s comments. The incident underscores the persistent tension between public-interest civic outreach and politically motivated commentary in Mumbai.