Bombay HC asks BMC to re-upload Dia Mirza's Diwali video
The court expressed displeasure over the removal of the actor's environmental awareness clip following objections from political leaders.
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to re-upload a video by actor Dia Mirza that urged citizens to avoid firecrackers and noise pollution. According to reports by The Times of India, the court described the removal of the video as "unfortunate."
A bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale said it was "disturbed" by comments made by certain persons regarding celebrities participating in public causes. The court noted that the issue pertained to the environment and that every person breathes the same air regardless of religion or caste.
The video was removed from the civic body's social media pages on Sunday after objections were raised by BJP leaders and Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde. While Mirza's clip was deleted, campaign videos featuring Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad, and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane were retained on the BMC's X and Instagram accounts.
BJP Mumbai unit chief Ameet Satam alleged that anti-India forces were attempting to dictate how Hindus celebrate Diwali. Satam claimed certain celebrities had joined hands with forces opposed to India, though the court stated the BMC commissioner was correct in selecting celebrities to spread awareness.
Responding to the court's direction, UBT Shiv Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray said the BJP makes every administration they take over into a circus. He criticised the BMC administration, alleging the mayor's focus had been on other matters rather than civic issues.