Why Did BMC Remove Dia Mirza's Eco-Friendly Diwali Message? Controversy Unfolds!

A recent civic campaign promoting an eco-friendly Diwali has led to controversy in Mumbai after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed a video featuring actress Dia Mirza. The decision came after BJP Mumbai chief Ameet Satam objected to her message, stating that they do not need lessons on celebrating the festival. While Mirza's video was taken down, other celebrity messages remained. This incident has raised questions about censorship and the role of public figures in promoting environmental awareness during festive celebrations.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 2, 2026, 14:06 IST

Controversy Surrounds Eco-Friendly Diwali Campaign

Mumbai: A civic initiative promoting an eco-friendly Diwali has ignited a debate after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) decided to remove a video message from actress Dia Mirza from its social media platforms. This action followed objections raised by BJP Mumbai chief Ameet Satam.

On Sunday, the BMC took down Mirza's video, which encouraged the public to minimize noise and air pollution during the festival. In contrast, videos featuring other celebrities such as Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad, and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane remained on the BMC's X and Instagram accounts.

The controversy began when Satam expressed his disapproval of Mirza's message in a post on X, directly tagging the BMC's official account.

He stated, "We don’t need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture."

Following Satam's remarks, the BMC, under the leadership of Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, swiftly removed Mirza's video from their social media channels.

Despite multiple inquiries, civic officials have not provided any comments regarding this incident.