BJP forces BMC to withdraw Dia Mirza’s eco-friendly Diwali video
A clip of actor Dia Mirza urging people to avoid noise and air pollution was removed on November 1, 2026. File | Photo credit: Special arrangement
A political controversy erupted in Maharashtra on Monday (November 2, 2026) after the BJP forced the Mumbai Municipal Corporation administration to withdraw a video message recorded by actor Dia Mirza for an eco-friendly Diwali. The message was part of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s official anti-firecracker campaign for a noise- and pollution-free Diwali. Several other celebrities like Madhuri Dixit and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane are also part of the campaign. Their videos continue to be on BMC’s social media handles.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on Monday warned the administration that it should seek her permission in future before involving celebrities in civic campaigns. The move came after BJP leader Ameet Satam earlier tagged the BMC in a post on X, saying, “@mybmc don’t need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture.”
BJP ally Shiv Sena said it found nothing objectionable in the report and there was no need to withdraw it. “I don’t think she said anything wrong in her appeal. I don’t know why Ameet Satam or the BJP thought it inappropriate,” Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi said.
The opposition criticized the BJP and questioned why it was indulging in communal and divisive politics.
Actor Dia Mirza told news agency ANI that the video was made in public interest as per the directions of the Bombay High Court. “Why should anyone criticize a video that Hon’ble Bombay High Court and BMC have uploaded in public interest? Air pollution is an area of concern and all efforts to reduce pollution should be welcomed as it is a matter of public health,” ANI quoted her as saying.
But Maharashtra state minister Nitesh Rane said it was not right for the BMC to promote people like Ms Mirza. “Dia Mirza tweeted about Diwali but she never tweets or offers such advice during Eid, Muharram or Bakri Eid. She only talks about eco-friendly Holi or Diwali. They should also talk about eco-friendly Ramzan and Bakri Eid. People like her are against Sanatan Hindu religion.”
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde said the actor had taken an anti-Hindutva stand due to which the BJP had opposed her name. “Our problem is not with the message that was shared, but with the celebrity that was appointed for the campaign. If we look at Dia Mirza’s entire profile, we see that she has opposed the Narmada project and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). She has also spoken out against efforts to address the environmental crisis – an area in which we ourselves are working. It seems that even PM Hindurentva’s statements against her PM. she said at a press conference on Monday.She criticized the BMC administration on the matter.
The controversy erupted after BJP leader Ameet Satam posted a message on his social media handle labeled BMC. “@mybmc We don’t need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture,” he wrote. His reaction prompted the BMC to immediately withdraw the post.
Hitting out at the BJP for its stand, Congress president Vijay Waddettiwar said the leaders had taken oath on the Constitution of India but were practicing a communal and divisive agenda. The Shiv Sena told the UBT that the BMC administration should not be afraid of the BJP. Party president Kishori Pednekar said Ms Mirza should not be targeted in her name.
Published – 02 Nov 2026 14:59 IST