Mumbai, Nov 2 BJP’s Mumbai unit chief Ameet Satam on Monday linked an appeal against the use of firecrackers during Diwali with the “tukde tukde gang”, hours after the civic body removed actor Dia Mirza’s video clip for the BMC’s eco-friendly Diwali campaign following an objection raised by him.
He alleged that anti-India forces were attempting to dictate how Hindus should celebrate the festival.
“Diwali has been celebrated for the last 5,000 years and will continue to be celebrated for thousands of years. We do not need to learn how to celebrate it from anyone. Members of the ‘tukde tukde’ gang and anti-India forces should not teach us how to celebrate Diwali,” Satam said.
Speaking to reporters, Satam alleged certain elements in the country were joining hands with forces opposed to India and attempting to show sympathy towards those allegedly spreading anarchy.
Satam also questioned the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation administration’s decision to invite celebrities and make videos in connection with Diwali celebrations, claiming the initiative was undertaken without consulting the BJP, which rules the civic body.
“Some celebrities had joined hands with anti-India forces and were attempting to sympathise with those spreading anarchy,” he added.
While Mirza’s clip urging people to avoid noise and air pollution was removed on Sunday, campaign 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.
Earlier, within hours of Satam’s comment, the civic body led by Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide removed Mirza’s video from its social media pages, sparking a controversy.
(PTI News)
