Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has criticised actor Dia Mirza over her pollution-free Diwali campaign, accusing her of having a “selective agenda” and being opposed to Hindutva. Tawde also said the actor would not be invited to future programmes organised by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The controversy erupted after the BMC removed Mirza’s video urging people to avoid firecrackers and celebrate an environment-friendly Diwali. The video was taken down following objections from Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam, who said people did not need lessons from the actor on how to celebrate the festival.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Tawde questioned Mirza’s positions on several issues, including the Narmada project, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“If we look at Dia Mirza’s entire profile, we see that she has opposed the Narmada project and the Uniform Civil Code. She has also opposed statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Consistently, her opposition appears to be directed against Hindutva,” Tawde said.
“We know how to celebrate our own Diwali. We do not need Dia Mirza to teach us. You should focus on your selective agenda,” she added.
Mayor Says Dia Mirza Blacklisted From BMC Programmes
Tawde said Mirza would not be included in future BMC campaigns or events.
“We have 100% blacklisted Dia Mirza,” she said, adding that the actor should not be telling Hindus how to celebrate their festivals.
The mayor also blamed the civic administration for not informing her office about the celebrities selected for the anti-pollution campaign. She said she would write to Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, asking the administration to share such details with the mayor’s office in the future.
“The list of celebrities for the promotion should reach the mayor. The administration should know that now BMC has a mayor. Everything should reach the mayor,” she said.
Tawde maintained that the campaign’s objective of reducing pollution was important but questioned the decision to feature Mirza.
Dia Mirza Defends Pollution-Free Diwali Appeal
The BMC had launched the campaign in view of rising air pollution and directions from the Bombay High Court on the use of firecrackers in public spaces.
Mirza’s video urged people to avoid activities that contribute to air and noise pollution. Campaign videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, as well as cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, continued to remain on the BMC’s social media accounts after Mirza’s clip was removed.
Defending her participation, Mirza said the video was recorded in the public interest and was intended to raise awareness about air pollution.
“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,” she told ANI.
She also said she had not charged the civic body for the campaign.
Opposition Leaders Question Removal of Video
The BMC’s decision to remove the video drew criticism from Opposition leaders.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar said Mirza had done nothing wrong by appealing for a pollution-free Diwali. He described the decision as reflecting a “perverted mindset aimed at disrupting the country’s unity”.
AIMIM leader Waris Pathan also questioned the criticism, pointing to the Bombay High Court’s directions on firecrackers and the health risks associated with air and noise pollution.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar questioned whether the civic administration had acted under pressure from the BJP.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane criticised Mirza, asking why she had not made similar appeals during Eid, Muharram or Bakrid.
