The Bombay High Court on Tuesday criticized the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for removing a pollution-awareness video featuring actor Dia Mirza. The court expressed its disapproval of the "loose comments" made by political figures regarding the campaign and suggested that the civic body restore the video to maintain public confidence in the Constitution.
A bench comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale emphasized that Mumbai relies on a spirit of togetherness, stating, "The balance ought not to be disturbed by any loose comments." The court noted that the BMC’s campaign, which featured several celebrities, was initiated following the court's own suggestions to address air and noise pollution. The judges expressed concern over the backlash against participants, noting that environmental issues affect everyone regardless of religious or caste background.
The controversy began after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam and Mayor Ritu Tawde objected to Mirza’s involvement. Satam questioned the need for the actor to provide "lessons" on Diwali celebrations, while Tawde accused her of opposing Hindutva. Following these objections, the BMC removed Mirza’s video from its social media platforms on Sunday, though similar videos featuring Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad, and Ajinkya Rahane remained online.
Defending her participation, Mirza questioned the backlash against a public interest initiative. "Why should anyone be critical of a video that the Honourable Bombay High Court and BMC have made me record in 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," she told the news agency ANI.
While the court stated it would be "ideal" for the BMC to restore the content, it left the final decision to the civic body. The incident has sparked a broader political debate, with opposition leaders accusing the BMC of succumbing to political pressure, while the BJP maintained that Hindu festivals were being unfairly targeted under the guise of environmental protection.
