BJP snaps at actor Dia Mirza’s crackers-free Diwali video; she says ‘paise nahi liye’

The Mumbai civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), pulled down a pollution-free Diwali campaign video featuring actor Dia Mirza after city Mayor Ritu Tawde and party chief Ameet Satam objected to her inclusion, sparking a controversy.

While Dia Mirza's video was removed from BMC social media handles on Sunday, November 1, campaign videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Ajinkya Rahane have been retained. The Mumbai civic body had posted a video of Dia Mirza, urging Mumbaikars not to burst firecrackers during Diwali festivities amid concerns over the city’s plummeting Air Quality Index (AQI).

Interestingly, the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP and Shiv Sena, holds a majority in the BMC. As Dia Mirza's video went live, Mayor Ritu Tawde called a press conference and said that she was not consulted by the civic authorities before roping in the actor for the campaign.

She said, "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." "Therefore, before appointing any celebrity for such a campaign, the elected representatives should have been consulted by the administration.

There are other celebrities who are giving out messages. We have not removed any of their videos. Just like how I am working towards women empowerment and environmental protection, I am working as a foot soldier of Hindutva, and those who oppose Hindutva will face opposition from us," Tawde said.

"She has always been anti-Hindu. We have blacklisted her," she added, according to PTI. Ameet Satam, BJP Mumbai chief and Andheri West MLA, said in a post on X: "@mybmc We don’t need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture." BJP minister Nitesh Rane said, "Dia Mirza tweeted about Diwali, but she never tweets or offers such advice during Eid, Muharram or Bakri Eid.

People like her are against the Sanatan Hindu religion. I will discuss this issue with CM Fadnavis and focus on preventing such matters in the future." Following Satam's tweet, several independent users also criticised the civic authorities for roping in Dia Mirza for the anti-cracker campaign.

Within hours after Satam's tweet, the civic administration deleted the post from all its social media handles. An upset Dia Mirza said in a post on social media, "Koi paise nahi liye hain. Bhalai ka zamana hee nahi raha [I did not charge (BMC) any fee (for the Diwali campaign).

There is no goodness left in this era]." An official told The Indian Express, "Following the public outcry against the earlier posts, the administration decided to remove them. However, the civic body's stand on cracker bursting continues to be the same as we are just following the Bombay High Court's (HC) order." Meanwhile, the BJP's ally Sena has, however, maintained that there was nothing wrong with Mirza's statement.

Speaking with reporters on Monday, Mumbai's deputy mayor and senior Shiv Sena corporator Sanjay Ghadi said, "Our problem lies not with the person giving the message, but the way the person was chosen. The administration should have consulted with the Mayor, deputy mayor and leader of the house or at least should have presented the proposal in the civic house," Ghadi said.

"I don't think Diya Mirza has said anything inappropriate. It was unnecessary for the administration to take down the video or for BJP chief Ameet Satam to oppose it. In Mumbai, Diwali is celebrated in a unified manner across communities.

However, it was the administration's responsibility to have consulted us," he added. Ashraf Azmi, group leader of the Congress and corporator, said, "The most unfortunate aspect of this controversy is that the debate has now been diverted from environmental pollution to Dia Mirza's personal and family background.

What does any of this have to do with air pollution, environmental protection, or celebrating Diwali." Last week, the BMC announced it had roped in Dia Mirza and other celebrities to spread the message.