BMC withdraws Dia Mirza video after BJP chief flags Diwali campaign over cultural tone
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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 objected, reigniting debate over how far civic campaigns should go in commenting on a deeply rooted festival.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) deleted a video that included actor Dia Mirza as part of its pollution-free Diwali campaign following criticism from Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam. The campaign, launched after a Bombay High Court directive, urged residents to avoid firecrackers and celebrate an environmentally friendly 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,” arguing that the tradition is rooted in local culture. After the post, the BMC removed the video from its social-media channels but did not provide an official explanation.
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 called for self-reflection among residents.
Social-media reactions were mixed. Some users questioned the removal, while others praised Satam’s comments. The incident highlights the continuing friction between civic messaging and public sensitivity around cultural traditions in Mumbai.