Dia Mirza Diwali video row: BMC has full right over its social media, says CM Fadnavis
Synopsis
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis dismissed the Dia Mirza Diwali video row as a 'minor matter,' insisting the BMC had every right to delete its own social media content — even as the Bombay High Court took the opposite view, calling the political backlash against the actress 'contrary to secularism' and ordering the video restored.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said on 3 November 2026 that the BMC has full authority over its social media and acted within its discretion in deleting the video.
The BMC's eco-friendly Diwali campaign originally featured Madhuri Dixit , Ajinkya Rahane , and Dia Mirza ; the video was removed after criticism from BJP MLA Amit Satam .
The Bombay High Court called the political backlash 'contrary to secularism' and directed the BMC to re-broadcast Dia Mirza's removed video.
Mayor Ritu Tawde distanced herself, attributing the deletion to the social media agency and administration.
Dia Mirza responded to the row by asking, 'I spoke in favour of a pollution-free festival, what did I do wrong?'
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, broke his silence over the escalating controversy surrounding the deletion of Bollywood actress Dia Mirza's eco-friendly Diwali appeal video from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)'s official social media handle. Speaking to the media in Pune after inaugurating the Hinjawadi-Shivajinagar metro route, Fadnavis defended the BMC's decision, stating the civic body retained full authority over its own digital platforms.
What Triggered the Controversy
The BMC had launched a public awareness campaign promoting an eco-friendly and firecracker-free Diwali, featuring celebrities including actress Madhuri Dixit, cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, and Dia Mirza. The campaign video was subsequently removed from the BMC's social media handles following sharp criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Amit Satam. Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde also distanced herself from the controversy, reportedly attributing the decision to the civic body's social media agency and administration.
What CM Fadnavis Said
'Whoever owns the social media handle retains full authority over what content to publish or remove,' Fadnavis said, underscoring that the BMC acted within its own discretion. On the Bombay High Court's reported remarks on the matter, Fadnavis suggested the court had not formally taken up the case and may have merely expressed an opinion rather than issued a reprimand. Addressing Dia Mirza's standing in the episode, Fadnavis remarked, 'Actress Dia Mirza may be a renowned and successful actress, but she is not a prominent national political leader of India. This issue is not at our level; it is a minor matter.'
Bombay High Court Intervenes
The Bombay High Court expressed strong displeasure on Tuesday over the removal of the video, observing that it was 'unfortunate and contrary to the principles of secularism' when political leaders assigned communal angles to celebrities stepping forward for the public good. The court's bench emphasised that no individual could be excluded from celebrating festivals and directed the municipal administration to re-broadcast Dia Mirza's removed video. Notably, this is a rare instance of a court stepping in to question the civic management of a public awareness campaign.
Dia Mirza Responds
Actress Dia Mirza, reacting to the backlash, asked, 'I spoke in favour of a pollution-free festival, what did I do wrong?' The remark underscored the actress's stated intent — environmental advocacy — which the court appeared to endorse in its observations.
Broader Context and What Comes Next
This comes amid a broader national debate about the intersection of celebrity advocacy, civic campaigns, and political sensitivity around religious festivals. Critics argue the video's removal signals a chilling effect on celebrity participation in government-led public service messaging. The BMC is now under a court directive to restore the video, and the administration's response will be closely watched. Whether Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and civic officials comply with the High Court's direction — and how swiftly — will determine if the matter escalates further into a formal legal case.
Point of View
The precedent for other civic campaigns is troubling. The court's intervention may force a reckoning that the political establishment clearly preferred to avoid.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Dia Mirza's Diwali video deleted by the BMC?
The BMC removed the eco-friendly Diwali campaign video featuring Dia Mirza following criticism from BJP MLA Amit Satam. Mayor Ritu Tawde attributed the deletion to the civic body's social media agency and administration rather than a direct political directive.
What did Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis say about the video deletion?
CM Fadnavis said the BMC, as the owner of the social media handle, had full authority to publish or remove any content at its own discretion. He called the matter 'minor' and said it was not an issue at his level of governance.
What did the Bombay High Court say about the video removal?
The Bombay High Court expressed strong displeasure, observing it was 'unfortunate and contrary to the principles of secularism' to assign communal angles to celebrities advocating for the public good. The court directed the BMC to re-broadcast Dia Mirza's removed video.
What was Dia Mirza's reaction to the controversy?
Dia Mirza responded to the backlash by asking, 'I spoke in favour of a pollution-free festival, what did I do wrong?' The actress maintained that her participation was purely an environmental advocacy effort.
What happens next in the Dia Mirza video controversy?
The BMC is under a Bombay High Court directive to restore and re-broadcast the deleted video. How swiftly and fully the civic administration complies will determine whether the matter is formalised as a court case, making the administration's next steps closely watched.
