Bombay High Court Directs BMC to Re-upload Dia Mirza’s Anti-Firecracker Video: India is a secular country

The Bombay High Court has pointed out remarks made by a selective few politicians against a video in which actress Dia Mirza has urged everyone to avoid bursting firecrackers on the streets as Diwali approaches. A division bench comprising Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Dr Neela Gokhale said it was “disturbed by the stray comments made by some politicians” and reminded them that “India is a Secular country.”

The Bench also stated verbally that “A festival is for everyone to celebrate… No individual can be isolated from celebrating any festival in this country…how can you object to someone’s participation just because that person is from some other religion? Aren’t we a secular country.” Mirza’s video was created upon BMC’s request to spread awareness about the court’s direction against bursting firecrackers on streets. The video was pulled down from BMC’s social media and was followed by a “really good message” on air pollution; however, the objections that came after were “really unfortunate.”

The judge also stated the Supreme Court’s observation that Diwali is celebrated by the entire nation, irrespective of caste or religion, and also questioned the objection to Mirza’s participation on religious grounds. The judges said, “She acted as per the directions of the court,” and added that the approach of a few corporators and politicians was incorrect, and stated that the issue should not be given “any other angle.”

Justice Gokhale mentioned that the matter is entirely an environmental issue. “Everyone is breathing the same air, be it anyone,” she observed. The judge added, “It’s not that barring firecrackers is taking away your right to celebrate the festival.”

Ultimately, the judges directed the BMC to re-upload Dia Mirza’s video and “restore the confidence of the people,” stating that there was no need for a “knee-jerk reaction.” It mentioned that the objections mirrored the views of selective people and should be avoided. “When we are speaking about health and pollution and environment…There is no room for factionalism,” it said and added that the matter should come to an end on a “happy note and in a sense of belongingness,” especially in Mumbai, which “survives on togetherness and a strong feeling of belongingness”. The Bench added, “This balance ought not to be disturbed by any loose comment.”

In addition to Dia Mirza, a few selective actors have also adhered with the BMC guidelines to curate online videos on social media, urging citizens to not burst firecrackers this Diwali.