Bombay High Court Orders BMC to Reinstate Dia Mirza's Firecracker Awareness Video
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The Bombay High Court rebuked remarks by certain politicians and directed the municipal corporation to repost a video by actress Dia Mirza that promotes firecracker restrictions, emphasizing India's secular character and environmental concerns.
A two-judge bench of the Bombay High Court criticised comments made by some politicians about a video featuring actress Dia Mirza and ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to restore the clip on its social-media platform. The judges, Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Dr. Neela Gokhale, said the remarks were “disturbed by the stray comments made by some politicians” and reminded that “India is a secular country.”
The video, produced at the BMC’s request, aimed to raise public awareness of the court’s directives to curb firecracker use on public streets in order to reduce air pollution during Diwali. It was removed after BJP leaders objected, accusing Mirza of being “anti-Hindu.”
Justice Kulkarni noted that the politicians had ignored an earlier court order that allowed anyone to take part in the awareness campaign, describing Mirza’s message on air pollution as “really good.” He called the subsequent objections “really unfortunate.” Justice Gokhale stressed that the issue was purely environmental, stating, “Everyone is breathing the same air, be it anyone,” and affirmed that restricting firecrackers does not infringe on the right to celebrate the festival.
Citing a Supreme Court observation that Diwali is celebrated by people of all castes and religions, the bench questioned the basis for objecting to Mirza’s participation on religious grounds. The judges directed the BMC to re-upload the video, saying the objections reflected only a minority view and should be avoided. They added that discussions on health, pollution, and the environment should not be subject to “factionalism” and urged that the matter conclude on a “happy note and in a sense of belongingness,” highlighting Mumbai’s tradition of togetherness.