Veteran actress Soni Razdan has launched a sharp attack on those who burst firecrackers during Diwali, declaring that even setting off a single cracker amid the city's worsening air pollution is unacceptable. The Mumbai-based actress and mother of Alia Bhatt posted a strongly worded message on social media on 4 November 2026, linking firecracker use to children's health and labelling those who defend the practice as 'anti-life, anti-health and anti-national.'

What Soni Razdan Said

In her post, Soni Razdan wrote: 'Any parent of a young child will tell you how much their children are suffering because of air pollution. How many school days they miss because of illness. So if you tell me that, in such circumstances, it is perfectly alright to burst even ONE cracker this Diwali, I can only say that it seems to me to be anti-life, anti-health and yes... anti-national.'

She followed up with a call to action: 'Health is a choice we make for ourselves and our children. Let us make the right one.' The post drew significant attention, arriving just as Mumbai was already in the grip of a wider political controversy over Diwali pollution awareness campaigns.

The Dia Mirza–BMC Controversy It Echoes

Razdan's remarks come in the backdrop of a high-profile row involving actress Dia Mirza and the Brihanmunicipal Corporation (BMC). The civic body had enlisted several celebrities — including Dia Mirza, Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad, and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane — to front an anti-pollution awareness drive tied to Bombay High Court directives on firecracker restrictions in public spaces.

In her campaign video, Dia Mirza urged Mumbaikars to consider the environmental and health consequences of bursting firecrackers. The appeal, however, triggered a backlash from Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam, who objected to her association with the drive. Posting on X, Satam wrote: 'We don't need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture.' Following his objection, the BMC removed Dia Mirza's video from its official social media accounts.

Political Escalation

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde subsequently escalated the matter further, accusing Dia Mirza of taking an anti-Hindu and anti-government stand. The episode has underscored the politically charged nature of Diwali pollution debates in Maharashtra, where ecology and cultural identity have increasingly been framed as competing priorities by different political actors.

Notably, this controversy is not new terrain — similar disputes over celebrity-led anti-cracker campaigns have surfaced during past Diwali seasons, though the removal of an official BMC-commissioned video under political pressure has added a fresh dimension this year.

Why It Matters

Air quality in Mumbai and other Indian metros typically deteriorates sharply in the post-monsoon weeks, with Diwali firecracker smoke compounding the seasonal spike. Health advocates and paediatricians have repeatedly flagged the disproportionate impact on young children and those with respiratory conditions. Razdan's post channels that concern, though her 'anti-national' framing is likely to remain contentious in a debate that has long divided public opinion along cultural and environmental lines.

The Bombay High Court's existing directives on firecracker restrictions provide a legal backdrop to the debate, and civic bodies across Maharashtra face the dual pressure of enforcing those norms while navigating political sensitivities around Diwali traditions.