Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday expressed its ‘deep pain and displeasure’ over the controversy surrounding actor Dia Mirza's video for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) eco-friendly and firecracker-free Diwali campaign and directed the civic body to re-upload her clip.
A bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale, taking suo motu (on its own) note of the issue, said it was anguished by the ‘petty mindset’ of certain persons, especially those who are representatives of the common man.
It was ‘most unfortunate’ that such a colour was given to a video made to spread awareness about the environment and air and noise pollution, the HC said.
No person can question as to why a certain celebrity was chosen by the authorities to spread awareness, it added.
Mirza's video for the BMC's eco-friendly Diwali campaign sparked a political row on Monday after the civic body removed her clip from social media following objections by Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam and comments by Mayor Ritu Tawde, who labelled the actor “anti-Hindu”.
The BMC had appealed to citizens to avoid bursting firecrackers and celebrate an environment-friendly Diwali following a Bombay HC directive amid rising air pollution in the city. As part of the campaign, the civic body roped in several celebrities, including Mirza.
While her clip urging people to avoid noise and air pollution was removed, campaign videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, as well as cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, remained on the BMC's X and Instagram pages.
The HC said the BMC commissioner was ‘absolutely correct’ in the selection of celebrities to spread awareness and that it was unfortunate that unnecessary issues had been raised.
The bench directed the civic body to re-upload Mirza's clip, which was deleted on Monday following objections by some BJP leaders and Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde.
It cautioned those who raised the objections, saying there had to be respect for every person in the community, irrespective of their religion, caste or creed.
“There has to be a secular spirit, and the Constitution expects citizens to foster the same. If the clip was taken off, then it would be ideal that the same should be re-uploaded,” the court said.
A city like Mumbai survives on togetherness and a strong feeling of belonging to society, and this ought not to be disturbed by any ‘loose comments’, it said.
“We have not seen any politician or any person who made remarks yesterday put up videos spreading awareness. We are a secular country. We are really hurt by this. The issue pertains to the environment and every person, irrespective of their religion and caste, is breathing the same air,” the HC said.
The court said such conduct was not expected from people holding public posts. It also criticised the BMC for deleting Mirza's clip following the controversy.
“What happened yesterday is the most unfortunate, to say the least. We are deeply pained by what has happened. Such a knee-jerk reaction was unwarranted. The message spread in the video was for the good of all persons irrespective of their religion and caste,” the court said.
It reminded the civic body that its step was pursuant to court orders prohibiting the bursting of firecrackers on public roads and streets throughout the year.
The court said the orders did not pertain to any particular festival and that, incidentally, it happened to be Diwali.
“Firecrackers are burst at all times, like during marriages, processions, election victories, and after cricket matches. Our order concerns all 365 days. The paramount consideration is the environment and control of air and noise pollution,” the bench said.
“We are deeply pained and express our displeasure. Why is a different colour being given to all this unnecessarily? We have the highest respect for everyone, but we are not pleased at all with what happened yesterday,” the court said.
Any person could come forward to raise awareness about the environment, and there was no scope for individualism, the court said, adding that community spirit was most important.
“We need to nurture a sense of goodwill and togetherness and a strong sense of belonging to the society when it comes to issues pertaining to the environment. What is this petty mindset? We don't approve of this. Someone comes forward, and then this person is reprimanded,” it added.
