Bollywood actress Dia Mirza has always been vocal about preserving nature and taking care of mother Earth. She along with other celebrities, like Madhuri Dixit, cricketer Ajinkya Rahane and Marathi actor Nishigandha Wad, in association with the Mumbai civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), spoke about not bursting firecrackers this Diwali, owing to the air and noise pollution. However, only her video was taken down, without any proper explanations, after BMC faced severe backlash from several right-winged political leaders. It is to be noted that the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Mumbai, around the Bandra Reclamation, is 131 which is considered “unhealthy”.
Why Was Only Dia Mirza’s Video Taken Down?
The video was taken down from all of BMC’s official social media handles, after BJP Mumbai president Ameet Satam objected to it. Tagging the civic body in a post, he wrote, “We don’t need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture.”
Other Leaders Weigh In
Subsequently, several other political leaders also expressed their displeasure over Mirza’s video, expressing how the people of certain communities do not need lessons from others about their festivals.
Shaina NC, spokesperson of Shiv Sena, quoted by NDTV said, “Diwali is clearly the festival of lights. And Dia Mirza, whose name has a ‘Diya’ in it, should understand that there is a certain kind of cultural identity associated with Diwali. Nobody is propagating pollution or bursting crackers, but we need to introspect ourselves. We don’t need a lesson from others on what we should be doing as Mumbaikars.”
Speaking to the media, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale pointed out that Dia “belongs to the Muslim community.” He added, “The Constitution grants every religion the right to celebrate its festivals. Just as Hindus respect and participate in Eid, Hindu community celebrates Diwali. If firecrackers are not burst, Diwali may lose some of its significance, though we must also be concerned about excessive pollution.”
Dia Mirza Responds To Video Being Taken Down
Sharing her thoughts on the matter, the 44-year-old actress told Indian Express’ SCREEN that the festival of Diwali celebrates “light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.” She specified that the video was recorded for “public awareness,” to encourage “healthier and more mindful celebration.” She added, “Air pollution is a matter of public health, and every effort towards reducing it is a step towards a better environment for all.”
“Why would anyone be critical of a video the Honourable Bombay High Court and the BMC have made me record in public interest? Air pollution is an area of concern, and all efforts to reduce pollution should we welcomed because it’s matter of public health,” she stated as a response to Satam’s demand for the video to be taken down.
Dia Mirza’s Upbringing
For those who don’t know, Dia Mirza was born to a Christian father and a Bengali Hindu mother. She was raised by her stepfather, in a Muslim household, after her biological parents separated. She took the surname Mirza, as a way to honour her stepfather.