The Bombay High Court on 3 November 2026 directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to re-upload a public awareness video featuring actor Dia Mirza, in which she had urged citizens not to burst firecrackers on public roads during Diwali. Opposition parties in Maharashtra swiftly welcomed the verdict, alleging the BMC had pulled the video specifically because of Mirza's surname — a charge that has ignited a sharp political controversy in the city.

What the Court Said

The Bombay High Court's ruling was unambiguous: the removal of Mirza's video raised no communal issue, and framing it as one was inappropriate. The court's reprimand was directed squarely at the conduct of civic officials and, by implication, at Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam, who had reportedly posted on X (formerly Twitter) targeting Mirza by name. Crucially, videos by other public figures — including actor Madhuri Dixit and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane — made at the same BMC request were not removed.

Opposition's Allegations of Surname-Based Discrimination

Shiv Sena-UBT MLA Aaditya Thackeray, speaking to reporters, said the episode reflected a disturbing political priority. 'There is this BJP leader (Ameet Satam) whose entire focus is only on Hindu-Muslim issues and caste discrimination,' he said, adding that it was the BMC itself that had invited Mirza, Rahane, and Dixit to make the videos in the first place.

Thackeray further questioned the civic body's governance, noting that BMC Mayor Ritu Tawde had claimed ignorance of the video invitation. 'How are they running the government?' he asked.

AIMIM National Spokesperson Waris Pathan hailed the judgment, stating: 'They (BMC) received a proper reprimand. The court said that this is not a communal issue, so why are you making such statements?... The Mumbai BJP Chief, Ameet Satam, tweeted and specifically targeted Dia Mirza because of her surname. Otherwise, videos made by Madhuri Dixit and Ajinkya Rahane were not removed.'

Former Mayor and Congress Weigh In

Shiv Sena-UBT leader and former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar emphasised Mirza's credentials — she has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and has received several national honours. 'She did not come seeking any benefit, nor was she going to gain financially from this. It was the municipal corporation that invited her. They have insulted her due to her 'Mirza' surname, which is extremely wrong,' Pednekar said.

Pednekar also criticised Mayor Tawde's reported remark about 'blacklisting' Mirza, calling it unacceptable ahead of a festival like Diwali, which she said is celebrated by all communities. 'India is a secular country, and such comments about an artist are completely unacceptable,' she added.

Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap trained his fire directly on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 'Indulging in such dirty and petty politics is something only the BJP can do. I sincerely thank the High Court for reprimanding them and making it clear that such discrimination has no place under the Constitution of this country.'

NCP-SP's Charge Against Ameet Satam

NCP-SP leader Fahad Ahmed acknowledged Mayor Tawde as an empowered woman but alleged that Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam 'is the one running the entire BMC.' Ahmed said Satam had 'finished the essence related to festivals like Diwali, Eid etc.' — a pointed rebuke of what opposition leaders collectively characterise as communally charged interference in civic administration.

What Happens Next

With the court's directive now in place, the BMC is expected to comply and restore the video. The episode, however, has broader implications: it has reignited the debate over the BMC's political independence in a city where civic governance has long been contested terrain. How the ruling Mahayuti alliance responds — and whether Mayor Tawde addresses the controversy directly — will be closely watched in the days ahead.