Deeply pained HC asks BMC to re-upload Dia Mirza’s video
The BJP on Tuesday accused actors Dia Mirza and Naseeruddin Shah of “selective outrage” on environmental concerns regarding Hindu festivals
PTI
MUMBAI, 3 NOV
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday expressed its "deep pain and displeasure" with the controversy over actor Dia Mirza's video for the BMC's eco-friendly and firecracker-free Diwali campaign and asked the civic body to re-upload her clip.
Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale said it was anguished by the "petty mindset" of some persons, especially those who are representatives of the common man. It is "most unfortunate" that such a colour was given to a video made to spread awareness about the environment and air and noise pollution, the HC said.
The court said the BMC commissioner was absolutely correct in the selection of celebrities to spread awareness and it is unfortunate that other unnecessary issues were taken up.
The bench directed the BMC to re-upload the clip of Mirza deleted on Monday pursuant to the objections raised by some BJP leaders and Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde.
It sounded a note of caution to those who raised the objections and said there has to be respect for every person in the community irrespective of religion, caste and creed.
"There has to be a secular spirit, and the Constitution expects citizens to foster the same. If the clip was taken off, then it would be ideal that the same is re-uploaded," the court said.
A city like Mumbai survives on unity and a strong feeling of belonging to society, and this ought not be disturbed by any "loose comments", it said.
This is not expected from people holding public posts, the court said, adding that the BMC too ought not to have deleted the clip of Mirza after the controversy and asked it to re-upload the actor's video.
BJP ATTACKS DIA, SHAH
The BJP on Tuesday accused actors Dia Mirza and Naseeruddin Shah of “selective outrage” on environmental concerns, alleging that they remain silent on pollution-related matters during festivals of other religions but flag Hindu festivals.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, “There is selective messaging. You say that people should take care of the environment. But when Eid and Bakrid come, and there is water pollution as goats are slaughtered, people like Naseeruddin and Dia Mirza do not utter a word.”
Maintaining that he did not see the high court order and therefore would not comment on it, the BJP spokesman said some people who raise concerns over environmental protection and noise pollution during Hindu festivals remain silent when festivals of other religions are celebrated.
He also said that such selective expressions of concern affect the credibility of those raising these issues.
While Mirza’s clip was removed, similar videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, as well as cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, were on the BMC's X and Instagram pages.
Actor Naseeruddin Shah recently released a video supporting student protests, where he embraced tags like “anti-national” and “tukde-tukde gang” and declared, “I am a Dimagi Naxal”.
Share Now
Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
Other Stories
