Dia Mirza's appeal to avoid Diwali firecrackers draws BJP MLA's ire; BMC deletes video

The BMC’s campaign also features actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane.

MUMBAI: The BJP, the ruling party in the BMC, has forced the civic administration to take down a video featuring actor Dia Mirza, which was uploaded by @mybmc on its social media page as part of its Diwali campaign urging citizens to avoid firecrackers and noise pollution.The BMC’s campaign also features actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane. Their videos, however, continue to remain on the civic body’s social media page.

BJP Mumbai president Ameet Satam objected to Mirza’s video in a post on X, tagging @mybmc and writing: “We don’t need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture.”When contacted, Satam said he had not asked the BMC to pull down any post. However, he alleged that Mirza had been associated with anti-India forces and had sympathised with those trying to spread anarchy.

When asked why he had not objected to the videos featuring other actors and a cricketer who are also part of the campaign, Satam said that, according to him, they represented art and sports.