Mumbai Mayor Calls Dia Mirza 'Anti-Hindu', Backs Removal Of Diwali Video; Actor Responds

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde on Monday defended the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) decision to delete actor Dia Mirza's video from its pollution-free Diwali campaign. Addressing a press conference, Tawde accused Mirza of pursuing a selective anti-Hindutva agenda and said that the actor had been blacklisted from future civic initiatives.

#WATCH | Maharashtra: On the controversy over Actress Dia Mirza's pollution-free Diwali campaign, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde says, "We will not include her in any program—certainly not on the official BMC portal. She cannot join in any other event organised by us, given that she trolls our PM Narendra Modi... As the Mayor—and representing the Bharatiya Janata Party—our position is clear: we will not allow anyone who opposes Hindutva to appear on the official BMC portal..." She adds, "Mumbai is a city that embraces all castes, religions, and sects, and I work for everyone. Our agenda is rooted in Hindutva. If anyone speaks against Hindutva—regardless of their caste, religion, or sect—they will be met with a firm response."

— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2026

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Mayor Criticises Actor's Stance

Tawde asserted that the civic body did not require Mirza's advice on celebrating Diwali, while questioning the actor's past stance on various social and political issues.

"We do not need Dia Mirza to teach how Hindus should celebrate Diwali. We know how to celebrate our Diwali. You are pursuing your own agenda, a selective agenda, and your overall stance is becoming very clear. It shows that you are against Hindutva. That is why we have strongly opposed the video," Tawde said.

The mayor further claimed that Mirza had consistently opposed key government projects and initiatives.

"If we look at Dia Mirza's entire profile, we can see that she has opposed the Narmada project and the Uniform Civil Code. She has also spoken against environmental issues that we were working on and opposed statements made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dia Mirza has always sided with divisive forces... She has always been anti-Hindu. We have blacklisted her," the mayor added.

Tawde also reiterated that the BMC should not feature anyone in campaigns without approval from the mayor's office, adding that Mirza is free to express her views on her personal social media accounts.

BJP Objections Trigger Video Deletion

The controversy began on Sunday after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to Mirza's video via a post on X (formerly Twitter) tagging the civic body.

"We don't need lessons on how to celebrate #Diwali from @deespeak. Our traditions are deeply rooted in our culture," Satam said.

However, videos featuring actors Madhuri Dixit and Nishigandha Wad, as well as cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, have been retained on the BMC's X and Instagram pages.

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Actor Reacts

The campaign had been launched in line with Bombay High Court directives to curb rising air pollution in Mumbai.

Responding to the controversy, Mirxa said, "Why should anyone be critical of a video that the Honourable Bombay High Court and BMC have made me record in the 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."

(With Inputs From PTI)