The Bombay High Court has mandated the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to restore the video featuring actor Dia Mirza, which promotes an environmentally friendly Diwali. This order was issued after the video was removed due to political objections, as reported by the Press Trust of India. The court expressed its discontent regarding the controversy, stating that the Constitution encourages citizens to uphold a secular ethos.

Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale, who presided over the case, expressed their disappointment with the “petty mindset” displayed by certain individuals, particularly those in political positions. They remarked that it was regrettable that an environmental awareness initiative had been politicised and asserted that the selection of a celebrity for the campaign should not be questioned.

Background of the Controversy

The intervention by the court followed a political uproar that emerged after Mirza’s video was shared. The BMC took down the clip from its social media platforms after objections were raised by Ameet Satam, the Mumbai BJP chief, and comments from Mayor Ritu Tawde, who labelled Mirza as “anti-Hindu.” The video aimed to encourage citizens to minimise air and noise pollution during the festival.

While Mirza’s video was removed, other campaign videos featuring celebrities such as Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad, and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane remained accessible on the BMC’s social media accounts. The court highlighted that the BMC commissioner had made an appropriate choice in selecting the celebrities for the campaign and instructed the civic body to reinstate Mirza’s video.

The judges emphasised that the essence of Mumbai lies in its unity and sense of community, which should not be disrupted by “loose comments.” They pointed out that no political figure had contributed to environmental awareness or addressed issues related to air and noise pollution.

Judicial Remarks on Political Responses

The court clarified that these directives were not tied to any specific festival, stating that firecrackers are used during various occasions, including weddings and public celebrations. They underscored that the primary focus should be on environmental preservation and controlling air and noise pollution.

The court deemed the removal of Mirza’s video as an unnecessary and hasty reaction. It expressed sorrow over the incident, stating that the message conveyed in the video was beneficial for all individuals, regardless of their religious or caste affiliations. The judges called for a collective effort to foster goodwill and unity in addressing environmental concerns.

Political Reactions and Implications

The controversy gained traction when Satam associated the campaign against firecrackers with the “tukde tukde gang,” alleging that anti-India elements were attempting to dictate how Hindus should celebrate their festivals. He asserted that Diwali has been celebrated for millennia and that the community does not require guidance on how to commemorate it.

Satam further questioned the BMC’s decision to proceed with the initiative without consulting political representatives, which led to the removal of Mirza’s video. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later described the issue as minor and clarified that the high court had not reprimanded the civic body for its actions.

Fadnavis stated that the BMC has the authority to manage its social media content as it sees fit. He remarked that while Mirza is a talented actress, her role does not elevate her to a significant political leader. The high court ultimately reaffirmed the importance of the environmental campaign and ordered the BMC to restore Mirza’s video, reiterating that its message is relevant to all citizens, irrespective of their backgrounds.

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