Bombay High Court invokes secularism while criticising objections to Dia Mirza's environmental awareness video. (Img: X)
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) decision to remove an anti-pollution Diwali campaign video featuring actor Dia Mirza following objections from BJP leaders. Emphasising India's secular character and the importance of environmental awareness, the court directed the civic body to restore the deleted video and criticised attempts to give the public health initiative a communal or political dimension.
The Division Bench of Justice Girish S Kulkarni and Justice Dr Neela K Gokhale observed that India is a secular country and expressed concern over remarks made by certain politicians against celebrities participating in the civic body's awareness campaign. The judges underscored that the initiative was intended to promote public health and environmental protection, not to advance any religious or political agenda.
The controversy erupted after Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde and BJP Mumbai chief Ameet Satam reportedly objected to Dia Mirza's participation in the campaign, describing her inclusion as inappropriate and alleging that the initiative had been given a different colour. Following the objections, the BMC removed the video from its social media platforms without issuing a detailed public explanation.
The court said the campaign had been undertaken in compliance with its directions and that celebrities from different backgrounds were entitled to participate in promoting awareness about the harmful effects of firecrackers on air quality and noise pollution.
The High Court was hearing a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) and connected petitions concerning noise pollution and air pollution caused by firecrackers during festivals. On October 26, the court had directed the BMC to involve celebrities in public awareness initiatives aimed at discouraging firecracker use and promoting environmentally responsible celebrations.
Following the directions, the civic body had enlisted several prominent personalities, including Dia Mirza, cricketer Ajinkya Rahane and actor Madhuri Dixit, to support its pollution-free Diwali campaign.
The bench observed that the celebrities had participated in a public welfare initiative in accordance with the court's directions and that there was no justification for questioning their involvement on the basis of their caste, creed or religious background.
The judges emphasised that the campaign was intended to encourage collective responsibility towards environmental protection and public health. They cautioned against allowing political disagreements or communal interpretations to undermine an initiative benefiting society at large.
Expressing concern over the removal of the campaign video, the bench indicated that restoring the content would be an appropriate step to reinforce public confidence in constitutional values and institutions.
The judges highlighted Mumbai's social fabric, built around coexistence, inclusivity and a shared sense of belonging, and warned against disturbing communal harmony through irresponsible political commentary.
The court also observed that the civic body's response appeared to have been a knee-jerk reaction to objections from a few individuals, potentially undermining the larger public interest served by the campaign.
The bench maintained that environmental awareness initiatives should not be hijacked by unrelated political or religious controversies, particularly when the underlying objective is to protect public health.
The judges stressed that pollution affects everyone irrespective of religion, caste or community and that environmental protection must remain a shared responsibility. The court also referred to the broader constitutional principle of secularism and the need for communities to celebrate festivals without compromising public health or environmental safeguards.
The proceedings form part of the judiciary's continuing efforts to address the environmental consequences of firecracker use, particularly the deterioration of air quality and increased noise pollution during festive occasions.
The BMC has been directed to restore Dia Mirza's deleted campaign video, with the court making clear that public awareness efforts undertaken pursuant to judicial directions should not be undermined by political objections.
