MUMBAI: A day after Dia Mirza‘s video urging people to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali triggered a political row, Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat asked the actor to also speak against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers, apparently referring to those installed atop mosques.His remarks came hours after the Bombay High Court criticised the objections raised against the actor’s video and directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to re-upload the deleted clip.The Shiv Sena leader said Mirza should be appreciated for seeking to bring about social change but must also address other sources of noise pollution.“People know that they should not burst crackers, so why give ‘gyan’ (preach) on the issue? She should upload one more video. Loudspeakers that blare all 365 days should stop. Do you have the courage to do so? Doesn’t it cause noise pollution?” he asked.“When we give any suggestion, we are branded as communal and then there is a Hindu-Muslim conflict,” he added.Shirsat said members of all religions must follow the Constitution. “The law which applies to us applies to all,” he said.Taking a swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray over his remarks that Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde focused on caste and religion instead of public issues, Shirsat said, “What does Aaditya know? It’s not been a year that she is the mayor. They (Sena-UBT leaders) never knew how to govern.”However, Maharashtra Legislative Council Deputy Chairman and Shirsat’s party colleague Sachin Ahir struck a different note, saying the Shiv Sena could not associate people working at the social level with caste and religion.“Balasaheb (Sena founder Bal Thackeray) taught us to work beyond the boundaries of caste and religion,” Ahir said.
Bombay HC orders BMC to re-upload Dia Mirza’s deleted Diwali video
Earlier on Tuesday, the Bombay High Court directed the BMC to re-upload Mirza’s video, reminding citizens that the Constitution expects everyone to foster a secular spirit.Taking suo motu cognisance of the controversy, a bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale expressed “deep pain and displeasure” over political objections to the actor’s video.The judges said they were anguished by the “petty mindset” of certain people, particularly those elected to represent the common man.The court observed that it was “most unfortunate” that a video intended to spread awareness about the environment and pollution had been given a different colour.It also emphasised that no one could question why the authorities had chosen a particular celebrity for the campaign.
Dia Mirza’s eco-friendly Diwali video sparks political row
Mirza’s video triggered a political controversy on Monday, prompting the BMC to selectively remove her clip from its social media platforms after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to it and mayor Ritu Tawde labelled the actor “anti-Hindu”.The video urged people to avoid noise and air pollution during Diwali. While Mirza’s clip was taken down, campaign videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, along with cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, continued to remain on the BMC’s X and Instagram accounts.(With PTI inputs)
