'Always been anti-Hindu': Mumbai mayor's jibe at Dia Mirza after BMC removes Diwali campaign video; actor - The Times of India

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had commissioned a short video for its Diwali outreach program, starring Bollywood actress Dia Mirza, to promote civic cleanliness and community participation during the festival. After the video was released, the BMC decided to pull it from its official channels, citing concerns that the content did not align with the corporation’s guidelines. Mayor Kishori Pednekar, speaking at a press conference, suggested that the removal was a routine administrative decision and implied that the actress’s involvement was unnecessary.

Dia Mirza responded publicly, describing the mayor’s remarks as indicative of an anti‑Hindu stance and accusing the municipal body of sidelining cultural expression. The actress highlighted that the video was intended to celebrate Diwali’s spirit of unity and to encourage citizens to keep public spaces clean. Her comments resonated with a segment of the public that views municipal outreach as an opportunity to showcase inclusive cultural narratives, especially in a city as diverse as Mumbai.

The incident reflects broader tensions in Indian politics where cultural symbols and government messaging often intersect. For residents of Mumbai, the dispute matters because it touches on how civic bodies engage with popular culture to convey public service messages. It also raises questions about the criteria used by municipal authorities to approve or reject media content. Observers will be watching whether the BMC reinstates the video or issues a new campaign, and how political leaders respond to criticism from public figures.