Actor Soni Razdan backed Dia Mirza amid the controversy surrounding the latter's Diwali environmental awareness campaign, saying that bursting even one firecracker appears to be "anti-life, anti-health and anti-national". Her remarks brought renewed attention to concerns about air pollution and its impact on children's health.
The controversy began after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed an awareness video featuring Dia Mirza from its social media platforms following objections from Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. The Bombay High Court subsequently took suo motu cognisance of the matter and directed the civic body to restore the video.
In a social media post shared on Tuesday night, Razdan urged parents to consider the health consequences of air pollution, particularly for children.
She said parents of young children were aware of how pollution affected their health and contributed to missed school days due to illness. She added that choosing health was a responsibility towards both individuals and their children.
The actor also encouraged people to make healthier choices during the festival. Comments were disabled on her post.
Political Row Over Dia Mirza's Diwali Video
Dia Mirza's campaign video appealed to people to avoid noise and air pollution during Diwali. However, it triggered political objections after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam criticised the campaign. Mayor Ritu Tawde also reportedly described the actor as "anti-Hindu".
Following the objections, the BMC removed the video from its social media accounts. Other campaign videos featuring Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane reportedly remained available on the civic body's platforms.
The removal of Mirza's video subsequently became a legal issue, drawing the attention of the Bombay High Court.
Bombay High Court Orders Video Restoration
A bench comprising Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale expressed "deep pain and displeasure" over the controversy and directed the BMC to re-upload the video.
The court criticised the objections raised against a campaign intended to spread awareness about environmental protection and pollution. It also expressed concern over the conduct of certain elected representatives and emphasised the importance of the Constitution's secular principles.
The court further observed that no individual should question the civic body's decision to select a particular celebrity for an awareness campaign.
The controversy has renewed public discussion about balancing festive celebrations with environmental responsibility and the health risks associated with firecracker pollution.
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