'Matter of Public Health': Dia Mirza Hits Back at Critics Over Eco-Friendly Diwali Plea
Actor Dia Mirza hits back at critics after the BMC allegedly removed her eco-friendly Diwali video following political backlash.
Actor Dia Mirza has broken her silence following a wave of criticism over her participation in a pollution-free Diwali campaign. The controversy erupted after a public awareness video, recorded at the request of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), sparked a political firestorm, leading to the alleged removal of her message from the civic body's social media handles.
A Call for Public Health
Speaking to ANI, Dia Mirza questioned why a message aimed at public welfare and environmental protection was being met with hostility. She emphasized that the video was not a personal whim but was recorded in accordance with directives from the Honourable Bombay High Court and the BMC.
"Why should anyone be critical of a video that the Honourable Bombay High Court and BMC have made me record in the public interest? Air Pollution is an area of concern, and all efforts to reduce pollution should be welcomed because it's a matter of public health," Mirza stated.
The Campaign and the Backlash
The initiative, titled "Let's Avoid the Noise of Firecrackers and Multiply the Joy!", was designed to discourage the use of loud and polluting firecrackers in public spaces. To amplify the message, the BMC collaborated with several prominent figures, including Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad, and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane.
While the videos of other celebrities remained online, Mirza's video was reportedly scrubbed from the platforms following objections from political leaders.
The Political Trigger
The friction began when Mumbai BJP president Ameet Satam took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disapproval of the actor's involvement. Satam argued that the actor should not be lecturing the public on cultural celebrations, writing, "We don't need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture."
Escalation to City Hall
The controversy deepened when Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde joined the fray, linking the actor's presence on the BMC portal to her political views. The Mayor asserted that Mirza would be excluded from future official programs, citing her alleged trolling of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mayor Tawde stated, "Our position is clear: we will not allow anyone who opposes Hindutva to appear on the official BMC portal." She further added that while Mumbai embraces all, those who speak against Hindutva would face a "firm response."
Accusations of Selective Activism
Adding another layer to the dispute, Maharashtra Minister Nitesh Rane accused the actor of being selective with her environmental concerns. Rane questioned why Mirza did not offer similar advice during festivals like Eid, Muharram, or Bakri Eid, suggesting that such focus is only applied to Hindu festivals like Holi and Diwali.
Rane claimed that people with such views are "against the Sanatan Hindu religion" and indicated that he would discuss the matter with the Chief Minister to prevent similar occurrences in the future.