'India Is A Secular Country': Bombay High Court Slams BJP Leaders' Remarks On Dia Mirza's Firecracker Video, Orders BMC To Restore It
| "How can you object to someone's participation just because they're from some other religion?"
The Bombay High Court has criticised comments made by some politicians against a video in which actor Dia Mirza urged citizens not to burst firecrackers on public streets, ahead of Diwali.
A Division Bench of Justice Girish Kulkarni and Justice Dr Neela Gokhale said it was “disturbed by the stray comments made by some politicians” and reminded them that “India is a Secular country.”
“A festival is for everyone to celebrate... No individual can be isolated from celebrating any festival in this country...how can you object to someone's participation just because that person is from some other religion? Aren't we a secular country,” the Bench said orally.
The video was created by Mirza at the BMC's request to raise awareness about the court's directions against bursting firecrackers on public streets. It was taken down from the civic body's social media handle following objections from BJP leaders, who labelled her as “anti-Hindu”.
Justice Kulkarni said the politicians' remarks had been made without taking note of the court's earlier order, which permitted everyone to participate in the awareness initiative. The judge said Mirza had delivered a “really good message” on air pollution in accordance with the Court's order, but the objections that followed were “really unfortunate”.
The judge also referred to the Supreme Court's observation that Diwali is celebrated by everyone irrespective of caste or religion, and questioned the objection to Mirza's participation on religious grounds.
“She acted as per the directions of the court,” the judges said, adding that the approach of some corporators and politicians was not correct and that they should not give the issue “any other angle.”
Justice Gokhale said the matter was purely an environment issue. “Everyone is breathing the same air, be it anyone,” she observed. The judge added, “It's not that barring firecrackers is taking away your right to celebrate the festival.”
The judges ultimately directed BMC to re-upload Mirza's video and "restore the confidence of the people", adding there was no need for a “knee-jerk reaction”.
It said the objections reflected the views of only a few people and should be avoided. “When we are speaking about health and pollution and environment...There is no room for factionalism,” it said.
It added that the matter should conclude “on a happy note and in a sense of belongingness”, particularly in Mumbai, which it said “survives on togetherness and strong feeling of belongingness”.
“This balance ought not to be disturbed by any loose comment,” the Bench said.