High Court orders Mumbai to reinstate Dia Mirza’s clean‑Deepavali video

Bombay High Court on Tuesday ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to restore a video featuring actress Dia Mirza that urges a Deepavali free of noise and pollution. The clip, released by the BMC on 1 November as part of its anti‑firecracker drive, was taken down after BJP leaders objected. Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam is reported to have called BMC officials and asked for its removal. The court expressed strong displeasure at the deletion, questioning whether India remains a secular nation. The judge noted that the video formed part of a suo motu public‑interest petition addressing noise and air‑quality problems caused by religious processions across Maharashtra, and had previously urged the municipal body to enlist celebrities for awareness campaigns. The petition, filed by a citizen group, asked the court to compel the city to adopt stricter firecracker controls and to involve public figures in spreading the message. The BMC had initially posted the video on its official website and social media channels. The High Court’s order came a day after the court’s remarks on the case, and it directed the BMC to put the video back online without delay and to ensure similar awareness material is not removed without clear justification. The decision underscores the tension between cultural celebrations and environmental health concerns in the city.

Context

Firecracker use during Deepavali spikes air‑pollution and noise levels, prompting many Indian cities to launch bans or awareness drives. Court involvement signals growing legal scrutiny of environmental protections during festivals.