Actress Soni Razdan has criticised the bursting of firecrackers during Diwali, saying that even setting off a single cracker is unacceptable amid the prevailing air pollution.
In a strongly worded social media post, the veteran actor highlighted the impact of air pollution on children’s health, pointing to the illnesses and missed school days faced by young children.
“Any parent of a young child will tell you how much their children are suffering because of air pollution. How many school days they miss because of illness. So if you tell me that, in such circumstances, it is perfectly alright to burst even ONE cracker this Diwali, I can only say that it seems to me to be anti-life, anti-health and yes… anti-national,” Razdan wrote.
She added, “Health is a choice we make for ourselves and our children. Let us make the right one.”
Razdan’s remarks come amid a controversy involving actor Dia Mirza and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Diwali anti-pollution awareness campaign.
Mirza recently faced political criticism after a video in which she urged citizens to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali and avoid bursting firecrackers was removed from the civic body’s official social media accounts.
The BMC had enlisted several celebrities, including Mirza, Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, to raise awareness about air and noise pollution during the festival.
The campaign followed directions from the Bombay High Court concerning restrictions on bursting firecrackers in public spaces and the need to raise awareness about pollution.
In her video, Mirza appealed to Mumbaikars to consider the environmental and health consequences of bursting firecrackers.
The message drew criticism from Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam, who objected to her participation in the campaign. In a post on X, Satam wrote, “We don’t need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture.”
The BMC subsequently removed Mirza’s video from its social media platforms.
The controversy escalated after Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde also criticised the actor, accusing her of taking an anti-Hindu and anti-government stand.
