The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation removed actor Dia Mirza’s video from its pollution-free Diwali campaign after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to her inclusion on X. Videos featuring Madhuri Dixit, Nishigandha Wad and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane remained on the civic body’s X and Instagram pages.

Mirza’s clip, removed on Sunday, urged people not to burst firecrackers and to celebrate an environment-friendly Diwali. The BMC campaign was launched amid rising air pollution in Mumbai and referred to Bombay High Court directions prohibiting the bursting of firecrackers on public roads, lanes and footpaths.

“Why should anyone be critical of a video that the Honourable Bombay High Court and BMC have made me record in public interest?” Mirza told ANI. She said air pollution was a public-health concern and efforts to reduce it should be welcomed. In a social-media post, she said she had not charged the BMC for the campaign.

Satam wrote that people did not need “lessons” on celebrating Diwali from Mirza, adding that traditions were deeply rooted in culture. Within hours of his post tagging the BMC’s official account, the civic body took down her video.

Mayor Ritu Tawde defended the removal on Monday, alleging that Mirza had sided with “divisive forces” and had trolled Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the NEET examination issue. Tawde called the actor “anti-Hindu” and said she had been blacklisted. The source material does not specify any formal BMC order or process behind the claimed blacklisting.

Opposition leaders questioned whether the BMC acted under political pressure. Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and former Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar alleged that the civic administration had yielded to what she called Satam’s “communal agenda”, while MNS corporator Yashwant Killedar criticised support for firecrackers in the name of religion.

BJP minister Nitesh Rane questioned why Mirza had commented on pollution during Diwali and not at Eid, Muharram or Bakri Eid, and said he would raise the matter with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Shiv Sena spokesperson Shaina NC said Mirza should understand both the significance of Diwali and the need to avoid firecrackers. Union minister Ramdas Athawale said the matter should not be linked to any community, while adding that concern over excessive pollution was necessary.