A fresh political controversy has erupted in Mumbai after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed a campaign video featuring actor Dia Mirza, which advocated for a pollution-free Diwali. The decision to pull the content followed strong objections from Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam. Following the removal, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has openly defended the move, accusing the actor of maintaining a selective agenda that she claims is consistently directed against Hindutva.
Speaking on the matter, Mayor Tawde criticised the actress for attempting to influence how the festival of Diwali is observed. Tawde stated that the public does not require instruction from celebrities regarding traditional celebrations. According to the Mayor, the opposition to the video stems from Mirza’s past public stances, including her reported opposition to the Narmada project, the Uniform Civil Code, and various statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tawde characterised these positions as being inherently against Hindu interests.
The controversy took a more definitive turn when the Mayor declared that the actor would no longer be associated with any BMC-led initiatives. “We have 100% blacklisted Dia Mirza,” Tawde said, asserting that the actor would not be featured in any future civic programmes. She emphasised that while individuals are entitled to their personal opinions, it remains the Mayor’s prerogative to determine which figures represent the municipal corporation on its platforms.
Beyond the criticism of the actress, Mayor Tawde directed her frustration toward the civic administration, citing a failure in protocol. She stated that the administration had not informed her office about the list of celebrities chosen for the anti-pollution campaign. Tawde argued that under the current administrative structure, such lists should be vetted by the Mayor’s office before being finalised. She indicated that she intends to write to the municipal commissioner to ensure that the public relations department reports all such promotional activities to her directly in the future.
Tawde maintained that the conflict is not a matter of inter-community relations, but rather a reaction to the specific statements and ideological positions held by the actor. She reiterated that the BJP’s agenda is rooted in Hindutva and warned that those perceived as working against Hindu culture would face sustained opposition from party members. The Mayor expressed her disappointment that the civic administration had proceeded with the video campaign without consulting the elected representative, calling the oversight a significant lapse in communication.
The campaign, which aimed to raise awareness about air pollution during the festive season, was part of an initiative the Mayor noted was originally supported by a High Court order to include celebrities for advocacy. Despite acknowledging the value of the environmental message itself, Tawde insisted that the selection of the spokesperson was an unacceptable oversight by the administration. She concluded by stating that the full picture regarding the actor’s intent is clear to her, reinforcing her stance that the removal of the video was necessary given the perceived ideological conflict.
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