Mumbai Mayor targets Dia Mirza's Diwali video, calls it 'anti-Hindutva'
Synopsis
Mumbai's BMC Mayor publicly accused actress Dia Mirza of running an 'anti-Hindutva agenda' — and the civic body deleted her court-directed pollution-free Diwali video after a BJP objection. The episode collides public health messaging, judicial direction, and majoritarian politics in one charged moment, raising questions about who controls a court-mandated awareness campaign.
Key Takeaways
BMC Mayor Ritu Tawde on 2 November accused actress Dia Mirza of consistently opposing Hindutva and called her Diwali video part of a 'selective agenda'.
The BMC deleted Mirza's video from its pollution-free Diwali campaign after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to her inclusion.
The campaign was originally ordered by the Bombay High Court , which directed celebrities to promote firecracker-free celebrations amid rising AQI levels.
Mayor Tawde also raised a procedural complaint that the administration did not share the full celebrity list with her office for approval.
Actress Dia Mirza stated the video was made in the interest of public health awareness and described air pollution as a matter of public concern.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Mayor Ritu Tawde on Monday, 2 November launched a sharp attack on Bollywood actress Dia Mirza over her appearance in a BMC pollution-free Diwali awareness campaign, alleging that the actress's overall stance was consistently directed against Hindutva and those working for it. The controversy has resulted in the BMC deleting Mirza's video from the campaign after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to her inclusion.
What the Mayor Said
Speaking to reporters, Mayor Tawde cited what she described as a pattern in Mirza's public positions. 'If we look at Dia Mirza's entire profile, we can see that she has opposed the Narmada project and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). She has also spoken against environmental issues that we were working on and opposed statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We have consistently seen her opposition directed against Hindutva and those who work for it,' she said.
Tawde added: 'We do not need Dia Mirza to teach us how Hindus should celebrate Diwali. She is pursuing her own agenda, a selective agenda, and her overall stance is becoming very clear.' She said the BMC had 'strongly opposed' the video on those grounds.
The Administrative Grievance
Beyond the political attack, Mayor Tawde raised a procedural complaint against the civic administration for not sharing the full list of celebrities selected for the campaign with her office. She acknowledged that the Bombay High Court had issued directions for prominent artists to promote a firecracker-free Diwali given rising Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, but insisted the Mayor's approval should have been sought before finalising names.
'The administration did not consider it necessary to provide me with that list,' she said, adding that elected corporators and the Mayor — not legacy administrative structures — were now in charge. 'You must keep the Mayor informed about every decision, bring it to her notice, seek her approval, and only then proceed with its implementation,' Tawde stated.
Dia Mirza's Original Message
In the now-deleted video, actress Dia Mirza — best known for the film Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein — emphasised the cultural significance of Diwali while making a case for healthier celebrations. 'Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. The video was recorded in the interest of public awareness, with the intention of encouraging a healthier and more mindful celebration. Air pollution is a matter of public health, and every effort towards reducing it is a step towards a better environment for all,' she said in a statement.
Political Background and Wider Fallout
The immediate trigger for the video's removal was an objection by Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam, whose intervention preceded Mayor Tawde's public remarks. This comes amid a broader pattern in which celebrity-led civic campaigns in Mumbai have attracted political scrutiny, particularly when the celebrities involved have previously commented on government policy or majoritarian issues. Notably, the campaign itself was court-directed — making the withdrawal of Mirza's video from a High Court-mandated awareness drive a politically sensitive move.
The episode also highlights a tension between elected representatives and the administrative wing of the BMC following the restoration of the elected council. How the civic body navigates such disputes — especially on court-mandated public health campaigns — is likely to draw further attention in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
A rhetorical move that sidesteps the actual issue — rising AQI in Mumbai ahead of Diwali. The procedural complaint about not being consulted is legitimate on its own terms, but bundling it with an 'anti-Hindutva' allegation muddies the governance argument. If the BMC is willing to pull court-ordered messaging on political grounds, the Bombay High Court may yet have the final word.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the BMC delete Dia Mirza's Diwali video?
The BMC deleted the video after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to Dia Mirza's inclusion in the pollution-free Diwali awareness campaign. Mayor Ritu Tawde subsequently alleged that Mirza's public stance was 'anti-Hindutva', further justifying the removal.
What was Dia Mirza's video about?
The video was part of a BMC campaign promoting firecracker-free Diwali celebrations to protect air quality. Mirza stated the clip was made in the interest of public health and highlighted Diwali as a festival of light, hope, and knowledge.
Why was the campaign created in the first place?
The Bombay High Court had directed the BMC to enlist prominent artists and celebrities to spread awareness about celebrating Diwali without firecrackers, citing rising Air Quality Index levels in Mumbai. The campaign was therefore court-mandated, not a voluntary BMC initiative.
What is Mayor Ritu Tawde's procedural complaint?
Tawde said the BMC administration failed to share the full list of selected celebrities with her office before finalising the campaign. She asserted that the Mayor's approval must be sought before implementing any such decision, now that elected representatives are in charge of the civic body.
Who is Ameet Satam and what role did he play?
Ameet Satam is the Mumbai BJP chief whose objection to Dia Mirza's inclusion in the BMC campaign triggered the controversy. His intervention preceded the Mayor's public remarks and the subsequent deletion of the video.
