Not at my level: Fadnavis plays down Dia Mirza ad row after Bombay HC rap to BMC

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has defended the BMC's decision to remove Dia Mirza's Diwali video, even as the Bombay High Court expresses displeasure and asks the civic body to restore the clip.Fadnavis has defended the BMC's decision to remove Dia Mirza's Diwali video, even as the Bombay High Court expresses displeasure and asks the civic body to restore the clip. (File Photo: ITG)Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday played down the controversy surrounding actor Dia Mirza's deleted Diwali firecracker awareness video, calling it a "very small issue" and saying it was "not at my level", even as the Bombay High Court pulled up the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) over its decision to remove the clip.Fadnavis defended the civic body's decision, saying the authority managing its social media accounts had the right to decide which content should remain online and what should be removed. He also rejected the suggestion that the High Court had reprimanded the BMC, arguing that the matter had not even come before it as a case.Mirza's video, recorded for the BMC's eco-friendly Diwali campaign, triggered a political row after the civic body removed it from its social media platforms following objections from Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam and comments by Mayor Ritu Tawde, who accused the actor of being "anti-Hindu"."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," Fadnavis said. Asked about the High Court's observations, Fadnavis told reporters in Pune, "I don't think the High Court has reprimanded the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. It might have expressed some opinion, because the case itself had not gone to the High Court. So, where is the question of reprimanding it?"On the deletion of Mirza's video, the Chief Minister reiterated that the decision was at the discretion of the civic body. "Yes, it was deleted. It is the Mumbai Municipal Corporation's wish. While operating its social media handle, what to retain and what to remove is the authority of the person who owns the handle. They have done that," he said.Taking a swipe at the political significance of the controversy, Fadnavis added, "Dia Mirza may be a good actress, but she is not a very big leader of India. Therefore, I feel this is not an issue of my level. Ask me questions on issues of my level."His remarks came after the Bombay High Court on Tuesday expressed unhappiness over the BMC's decision to take down Mirza's video, which was part of a pollution-free Diwali awareness campaign. The court asked the civic body to re-upload the clip to "restore the confidence of people in the Constitution".WHAT BOMBAY HIGH COURT SAIDA bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale criticised the comments made by political leaders against celebrities who participated in the civic body's campaign.Without naming anyone, the court said, "We are disturbed by the comments made by certain people against celebrities who participated in and supported the BMC's public awareness campaign highlighting the harmful effects of firecrackers on noise and air pollution."The bench pointed out that the campaign itself followed suggestions made by the Bombay High Court and said the BMC had taken effective steps to spread awareness about pollution."In our opinion, the BMC took very effective steps, and the celebrities conveyed a message of togetherness. We believe that when such a task was undertaken with such solemnity, there was no room for factionalism. We are a secular country. We are really hurt by this. The issue pertains to the environment and every person, irrespective of their religion and caste, is breathing the same air," the court said.The judges also said Mumbai survived on a feeling of "togetherness" and that "the balance ought not to be disturbed by any loose comments".The High Court said it would be "ideal" for the BMC to restore the deleted video, leaving the final decision to the civic body.WHY WAS DIA MIRZA'S VIDEO REMOVED?The BMC had roped in several celebrities, including Dia Mirza, Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, for its Diwali awareness campaign.The videos featured messages on the harmful effects of firecrackers and urged citizens to help curb noise and air pollution.However, Mirza's video was removed from the civic body's social media accounts on Sunday, while the campaign videos featuring Dixit, Wad and Rahane continued to remain available on its X and Instagram handles.The deletion followed an objection by Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam, who questioned Mirza's inclusion in the campaign and asked why she was offering lessons on celebrating Diwali.In a post on X, Satam wrote, "We don't need lessons on how to celebrate Diwali... Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture."Within hours of his objection, the BMC removed Mirza's video without issuing any clarification.Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde backed the move and accused the actor of being opposed to Hindutva, even though the original campaign focused on the public health risks associated with firecrackers.HOW DIA MIRZA RESPONDEDMirza defended her participation in the campaign, questioning the criticism directed at a video she had recorded in the public interest following a court directive."Why should anyone be critical of a video that the Honourable Bombay High Court and BMC have made me record in public interest? Air Pollution is an area of concern and all efforts to reduce pollution should be welcomed because it's a matter of public health," she told news agency ANI.The controversy also triggered a political exchange, with the BJP alleging that Hindu festivals were being selectively targeted in the name of environmental protection.Opposition leaders, meanwhile, questioned whether the BMC had given in to political pressure by removing Mirza's video.- Ends