BJP forces BMC to pull down Dia Mirza’s video on eco-friendly Deepavali

A political controversy erupted in Maharashtra on Monday (November 2, 2026) after the BJP forced the Mumbai municipal corporation administration to pull down a video message recorded by actor Dia Mirza for eco-friendly Deepavali. The message was a part of the official anti-firecracker campaign of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for a noise-free and pollution-free Diwali. Several other celebrities like Madhuri Dixit and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane are also a part of the campaign. Their videos continue to be on the social media handles of the BMC.

Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde warned the administration on Monday that it should seek her clearance in the future before engaging any celebrities for civic campaigns. The move came after BJP leader Ameet Satam earlier tagged the BMC in a post on X and said, “@mybmc we don’t need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture.”

BJP’s ally Shiv Sena said it did not find anything inappropriate in the message, and that there was no need to pull it down. “I don’t think she said anything wrong in her appeal. I don’t know why Ameet Satam or the BJP found it inappropriate,” deputy mayor Sanjay Ghadi said.

The opposition slammed the BJP, asking why it indulged in communal and divisive politics.

Actor Dia Mirza told news agency ANI that the video was made in public interest, in accordance with the directions of the Bombay High Court. “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 is a matter of public health,” ANI quoted her.

But Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane said it was wrong for the BMC to promote people like Ms. Mirza. “Dia Mirza has tweeted about Deepavali, but she never tweets or offers such advice during Eid, Muharram or Bakri Eid. They only talk about an environment-friendly Holi or Diwali. They should also speak about an environment-friendly Ramzan and Bakri Eid. People like her are against the Sanatan Hindu religion. I will discuss this issue with the CM that such things are prevented in the future,” he said.

Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde said that the actor had taken anti-Hindutva stance, because of which the BJP 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 against efforts to address the environmental crisis—an area in which we ourselves have been working. She has even opposed statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Consistently, her opposition appears to be directed against Hindutva,” Ms Tawde said in a press conference held on Monday. She slammed the BMC administration on the matter.

The controversy erupted after BJP leader Ameet Satam posted a message on his social media handle tagging the BMC. “@mybmc We don’t need lessons on howt o celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture,” he posted. His reaction prompted the BMC to immediately pull down the post.

Hitting out at the BJP over its stance, Congress leader Vijay Waddettiwar said that the leaders took an oath on the Constitution of India, but practised a communal and divisive agenda. Shiv Sena UBT said that the BMC administration should not be scared of the BJP. Party leader Kishori Pednekar said that Ms Mirza should not be targeted because of her name.