Bombay High Court directs BMC to restore Dia Mirza's Diwali appeal video

The Bombay High Court has intervened in a controversy surrounding the removal of a public awareness video featuring actor Dia Mirza that advocated for an environmentally conscious Diwali celebration. The court expressed displeasure at the circumstances leading to the video's removal from official platforms and directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to restore the content.

The video message, which promoted sustainable Diwali practices and discouraged the bursting of firecrackers, had been uploaded by the BMC as part of its public health and environmental awareness initiatives. According to reports, pressure from political quarters led to the municipal administration pulling down the video from its official channels.

In its order, the High Court noted that it was "deeply pained" by the controversy and the manner in which the video was removed. The court's intervention underscores concerns about the suppression of legitimate public messaging on environmental protection and public health matters, even when such messages align with national pollution control objectives.

The development reflects ongoing tensions between environmental advocacy and political considerations in India's public discourse. The court's direction to restore the video signals judicial support for non-partisan messaging aimed at promoting sustainable practices during festival celebrations.