Published 2 November 2026
Updated 1 minute ago
Bombay High Court has criticized the comments made by some leaders regarding a video. In this video, actress Dia Mirza had appealed to the citizens not to burst firecrackers on public roads.
The bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Dr. Neela Gokhale said it was "troubled by the isolated comments made by some leaders." The court reminded him that India is a secular country.
This video was made by Mirza on the request of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Its purpose was to spread awareness about the court's directions against bursting firecrackers on public roads. However, after objections from BJP leaders, it was removed from BMC's social media account. BJP leaders had called Mirza anti-Hindu.
Justice Kulkarni said that the leaders had made these comments without paying attention to the earlier order of the court. In its order, the court had given permission to everyone to participate in this awareness campaign.
The judges said, "He acted as per the instructions of the court." He said that the attitude of some councilors and leaders was not right and they should not give any other color to this issue.
Justice Gokhale said that this matter is completely an environmental issue and it should not be given any other color. "Everyone is breathing the same air, no matter who it is," the judges said. The court directed BMC to restore the removed video.
What happened before this?
Ahead of Diwali in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had launched an awareness campaign to appeal to people not to burst crackers and celebrate eco-friendly Diwali.
Many well-known personalities from the film and cricket world were included in this campaign. These included actress Dia Mirza, Madhuri Dixit, Marathi actress Nishigandha Wad and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane.
But on November 1, controversy started after Dia Mirza's video surfaced on BMC's social media account.
Mumbai BJP President and MLA Amit Satam objected to this video.
A few hours later, BMC removed Dia Mirza's video from its social media account. However, videos of other celebrities involved in the same campaign remained on BMC's X and Instagram accounts.
After this, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde also gave a statement against Dia Mirza. He said that the actress will not be included in any program of BMC and she will not get a place on the government platform.
The Mayor also said that in future no public message should be issued on BMC's social media accounts without his approval.
This campaign of BMC was to make people aware about the air and noise pollution caused by firecrackers during Diwali.
The celebrities involved in this had appealed to the people of Mumbai not to burn firecrackers and reduce pollution.
The message written by BMC along with Dia Mirza's video, referring to the instructions of the Bombay High Court, said that burning of firecrackers on public roads, streets and footpaths is prohibited.
BMC had written along with the video that actress Dia Mirza has appealed to the people not to burn firecrackers and avoid noise pollution.
Dia Mirza has been speaking on the issues of environment and pollution for a long time. She is also the Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Environment Programme.
BMC had posted this video on its social media account on November 1. But it was removed after the objection of Mumbai BJP President Amit Satam.
Amit Satam wrote on X, "We don't need to learn from Dia Mirza how to celebrate Diwali. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture."
According to the Indian Express report, a BMC official said that after people's objections regarding the earlier post, the administration decided to remove it. However, the official also said that BMC's stand regarding bursting of firecrackers has not changed and it is following the order of the Bombay High Court.
What did the Mayor of Mumbai say?
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has also given statements in this matter.
He accused Dia Mirza of trolling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and opposing Hindutva.
Ritu Tawde said, "If we look at Dia Mirza's profile, she has opposed Narmada, opposed UCC. She has opposed the environmental crisis for which we were working. She has opposed the statements of respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She opposes those who work for Hindutva. That's why we oppose her video."
Ritu Tawde said, "We know how to celebrate Diwali. We don't need to learn it from Dia Mirza."
He also said, "From now on we will not include Dia Mirza in any of our programs. She trolls our PM."
The interesting thing is that apart from Dia Mirza, videos of Madhuri Dixit, Marathi actress Nishigandha Wad and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane are also included in BMC's awareness campaign regarding Diwali and their videos have not been removed by BMC. He can still be seen on BMC's X handle.
When a journalist drew Ritu Tawde's attention to this and said that BMC Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi has supported Dia Mirza and said that it is not right to single out an actor like this, then in response Ritu Tawde said, "This may be his thinking. This is not our thinking. It is not necessary that we give any reaction on his statement."
He said, "Mumbai accepts people of every caste, religion and sect. But whoever it is, if he talks against Hindutva, every worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party will come out on the streets and give him a befitting reply."
Tawde also clarified his stand regarding the official social media account of BMC. He said that Dia Mirza can post whatever she wants from her personal social media account, but no message should go on BMC's account without her approval.
He said that the list of celebrities for future BMC campaigns will also be decided with his approval.
What did Dia Mirza say when the video was removed?
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Dia Mirza said, "Diwali is the festival of victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair. This video was recorded with the aim of making people aware, so that they can celebrate Diwali more responsibly by taking care of their health. Air pollution is a public health issue and every effort to reduce it is a step towards a better environment for all."
