BMC Selectively Deletes Dia Mirza’s Anti-Pollution Diwali Campaign Video

BMC Removes Dia Mirza Video After BJP Leader Objects: Actress and environmental activist Dia Mirza had posted on her social media account an appeal to people for celebrating Diwali in a less polluted manner, which has been taken down by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) soon after Bharatiya Janata Party (CJP) Mumbai president Ameet Satam raised a public objection. Reacting to her video, the BJP leader said "We don't need lessons on how to celebrate from Dia Mirza". The BMC move has stroke a political controversy, with Opposition leaders question if the civic body takes order from the leaders of the ruling party. 

Besides her screen presence, Mirza advocated efforts for protecting environment for over a decade. Her latest video attempt recommended taking precautionary methods for the sake of the environment that triggers air and noise pollution during Diwali pollution from burning crackers.  

Selective Removal Triggers Political Debate

To urge citizens to limit air and noise pollution ahead of the festive season, the BMC had approached several public figures, including actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, for spreading the message to the public. The camapign was within observations and directives from the Bombay High Court regarding the city's deteriorating air quality. The post with Dia Mirza specifically highlighted High Court guidelines prohibiting the bursting of firecrackers on public roads, footpaths, and lanes. 

The video grabbed the attention of the BJP leader Satam, who reacted, "We don't need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture". 

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

— Ameet Satam (@AmeetSatam) November 1, 2026

Mirza’s clip was removed, but campaign videos featuring Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad, and Ajinkya Rahane remain active on the BMC’s official X and Instagram pages.

Opposition Attacks Civic Administration

The municipal administration, led by Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, faced sharp criticism from opposition parties over the decision. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar questioned the civic body's independence, asking whether the administration had "become a slave of the BJP or its Mumbai president". 

"Our Diwali can be celebrated even by lighting a single lamp and a lantern. Does the BJP approve of Satam's brand of 'hypocritical Hindutva' that supports bursting firecrackers in the name of religion?" Killedar asked. 

Fact-Sheet: Dia Mirza’s Environmental Advocacy Work

Public attention has turned to Dia Mirza's decade-long record of environmental work and sustainability advocacy amid the political controversy. She has been consistently engaged with national and global environmental initiatives focused on climate action, clean air, plastic pollution, and biodiversity conservation.

The contrasts are stark. While some communities struggle for clean air, water and dignified living conditions, others continue to consume far beyond the limits of what our planet can sustain. It is time to stop treating environmental action as an optional extra. It is time to move beyond token gestures and towards meaningful change. This #WorldEnvironmentDay, let us remember that every choice we make has an impact on nature, on the climate, and on each other. Some things we can all do: 🌿 Refuse single-use plastics and avoid unnecessary plastic consumption. 🌿 Segregate and manage waste at source. 🌿 Waste less. Consume mindfully. 🌿 Protect forests, trees, wetlands and natural ecosystems. 🌿 Support organisations working for wildlife conservation and environmental protection. 🌿 Work with local authorities and communities to scale solutions that restore ecosystems and build resilience. 🌿 Invest in businesses and innovations that place people and planet at the heart of progress. These are some of the things I try to do. Some of the things we can all do. The environment is not separate from us. It is the source of every breath we take, every meal we eat, every drop of water we drink. Let us not look away from reality. Let us act with courage, urgency and hope. For nature. For climate. For our future. #WorldEnvironmentDay #NowForClimate #PlanetStartsWithPeople #SDGs #GlobalGoals #BeatPollution #ActNow #ForNature

— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) June 5, 2026

Key Advocacy Roles And Initiatives

• UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador: Appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador for UNEP in India, advocating for clean air initiatives, marine ecosystem protection, and single-use plastic reduction.

• UN Secretary-General’s SDG Advocate: Works globally to champion the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on environmental health and community wellbeing.

• Wildlife & Forest Conservation: Collaborates with conservation organizations, including the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Sanctuary Nature Foundation, to champion protection for endangered species and natural habitats.

• Grassroots Sustainability Awareness: Frequently promotes low-impact lifestyle choices, including waste reduction, sustainable consumer practices, and air quality awareness in urban centers.