Fadnavis backs BMC over Dia Mirza video controversy, calls it minor

CNN Central News & Networks / ITDC India ePress / ITDC News /Agencies/ Bhopal: Mumbai. The controversy over the removal of actor Dia Mirza’s video appealing to people not to burst firecrackers on Diwali has now become a subject of discussion in Maharashtra politics. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the matter, calling it a minor issue. He said BMC has the right to decide which video it wants to keep on its social media account and which one it wants to remove. He also remarked that the matter was not at his level.

Fadnavis said during a conversation with journalists in Pune on 3 November that BMC operates its own social media handles and has the right to decide which content should be retained and which should be removed. He also said Dia Mirza is a good actor, but she is not a major political figure of the country. Therefore, the issue should not be treated as a matter at his level.

The Chief Minister’s response came a day after the Bombay High Court expressed displeasure. The court had objected to the removal of Dia Mirza’s video and asked BMC to upload it again on social media. A bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Neela Gokhale had said that an awareness campaign related to the environment and public health should not be made a subject of political or communal controversy.

BMC had run an awareness campaign during Diwali to reduce pollution. It included videos of several personalities, including Dia Mirza, Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane. After an objection by Mumbai BJP president Amit Satam, BMC removed Dia Mirza’s video, while the videos of other personalities remained on social media.

After this action, the controversy escalated and opposition leaders also questioned BMC’s decision. With the Chief Minister’s statement and the High Court’s remarks, the matter remains a subject of political and administrative discussion.

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