Bombay HC orders BMC to re-upload Dia Mirza’s Diwali anti-pollution video
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The Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to re-upload an anti-pollution video featuring actor Dia Mirza, saying it was “disturbed” by politicians’ remarks targeting her participation in the campaign.
The civic body had removed the video from its social media accounts on Sunday after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to it.
The court said the objections appeared to have given the issue a communal angle and directed the BMC to restore the video to “restore the confidence of the people”.
A division bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Neela K Gokhale said Mirza had delivered a “really good message” on air pollution in accordance with the court’s directions.
“India is a secular country,” Live Law quoted the bench as saying. “A festival is for everyone to celebrate. No individual can be isolated from celebrating any festival in this country. How can you object to someone's participation just because that person is from some other religion?”
The bench said the issue concerned public health and the environment, adding, “When we are speaking about health and pollution and environment...there is no room for factionalism.”
Mirza, a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme, had been invited by the BMC to urge Mumbai residents to avoid lighting firecrackers on public streets and limit air and noise pollution during Diwali.
Satam had said, “We don’t need lessons on how to celebrate Diwali from Dia Mirza,” adding that traditions were deeply rooted in Indian culture. Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde had also criticised the actor's inclusion in the campaign.
On October 15, the High Court directed the BMC, Maharashtra government and state pollution control board to launch awareness campaigns against firecrackers and enlist celebrities. Its September 22 order banning firecrackers on public streets and roads, as well as laser lights during festivities, remains in force throughout the year.