MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has dismissed the controversy over the removal of actor Dia Mirza’s Diwali firecracker awareness video as a “very small issue”, saying the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has the authority to decide what content stays on its social media platforms.His remarks came a day after the Bombay high court directed the civic body to re-upload the video, which urged people against bursting firecrackers on public streets during Diwali.Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Fadnavis said, “This is a very small issue. I believe the high court may have expressed its opinion, but the matter has not even gone to the high court. Deleting the video was the Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s decision. The authority that manages the social media handle has the right to decide what content should be retained and what should be removed,” he said.“Dia Mirza may be a good actress, but she is not a major political figure in the country. Anyway, I feel these issues are not at my level,” he added.Bombay high court directs BMC to re-upload Diwali appealEarlier, the Bombay high court expressed displeasure over remarks made by certain political leaders about Mirza’s video and directed the BMC to upload it again on its social media platforms.The video appealed to citizens not to burst firecrackers on public streets during Diwali.During the hearing, a bench comprising Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale voiced its displeasure over comments made by certain political leaders regarding the actor and her participation in the awareness campaign.
How the row began
The controversy began after the BMC roped in Mirza for a public awareness campaign urging citizens to celebrate an eco-friendly and pollution-free Diwali amid concerns over Mumbai’s air quality.The campaign was launched following a directive from the Bombay high court on air pollution in the city. It featured video messages from several public figures, including actors Dia Mirza, Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, as well as cricketer Ajinkya Rahane.However, after objections from some senior political leaders and social media users, the civic body removed Mirza’s video from its social media platforms while retaining the messages featuring the other celebrities.(With ANI inputs)
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