Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has brushed aside the controversy over Bollywood actress Dia Mirza’s Diwali awareness video being taken off the social media platforms of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) as “a small issue”.
He was speaking after Bombay High Court expressed displeasure over BMC’s decision to remove the video and asked it to restore the clip.
Fadnavis told reporters in Pune on Tuesday, November 3 that the BMC’s decision was right because “whoever runs an official social media account has the right to decide what should be online and what should not be”.
The Chief Minister also asked whether High Court reprimanded the municipal corporation. “It (matter) was not formally before court as a case and I don’t think what the court observed was a reprimand,” he said.
On the controversy surrounding the actress, Fadnavis said “Dia Mirza may be a good actress but she is not a very big leader of India. So I feel this is not an issue of my level. Ask me questions on issues of my level”.
How Did The Dia Mirza Video Controversy Begin
The controversy began when the BMC included Dia Mirza in its eco-friendly Diwali awareness campaign. She was in a video telling citizens to celebrate the festival responsibly and not do things that pollute air or noise.
Other celebrities in the campaign were actor Madhuri Dixit, actress Nishigandha Wad and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane. Their videos continued to be available on civic body’s social media accounts.
But Mirza’s video was pulled down after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to her taking part in the campaign. “Why is she (the actress) giving advice to people about how they should celebrate Diwali?” Satam asked and said that the country’s traditions are linked with its culture.
Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde also criticised Mirza and reportedly called her anti-Hindu. The removal of the video sparked a political debate with opposition leaders asking why only the actress’ clip was taken down.
Bombay High Court Expresses Displeasure
The Bombay High Court took the controversy seriously and was deeply disappointed over Mirza’s video being taken down.
A division bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale asked why an individual who was part of public awareness campaign was being singled out. “Environmental protection and public health cannot be given communal or political interpretation,” it said.
The judges also said people from every community should be encouraged to take part in initiatives to reduce pollution.
The court asked BMC to restore the video on its social media platforms as it would help rebuild public confidence in constitutional values.
Dia Mirza Defends Her Participation
Dia Mirza later defended her role in the campaign saying that she shot the video as part of a public interest initiative between BMC and HC.
She said air pollution is a serious public health problem and that efforts to reduce pollution should be welcomed rather than criticised.
The incident has brought wider discussion about the relationship between environmental awareness, religious feelings and political objections.
Fadnavis has said that the BMC had the right to remove the video but High Court’s comments have brought it back into focus — questions about selective removal of public awareness content.
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