Veteran actress Soni Razdan has joined the ongoing debate over bursting firecrackers during Diwali, sharing a strong message about air pollution and its impact on public health. Amid the controversy surrounding actress Dia Mirza's awareness video for a pollution-free Diwali, Soni took to Instagram to express her concerns and described bursting even a single firecracker as “anti-life, anti-health, and yes… anti-national”.
Her remarks have drawn attention because they came just days after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) removed Dia Mirza's Diwali awareness video from its social media platforms following political objections.
Soni Razdan's Strong Message Against Firecrackers
On Wednesday, November 4, Soni Razdan shared an Instagram post highlighting how air pollution affects children and their health. She pointed out that parents are increasingly concerned about children falling ill and missing school because of pollution-related problems.
In her post, Soni wrote, “Any parent of a young child will tell you how much their children are suffering because of air pollution. How many school days they miss because of illness.”
She further added that allowing even one firecracker in such circumstances seemed “anti-life, anti-health, and yes… anti-national”.
Concluding her message, the actress described health as a choice people make for themselves and their children and urged everyone to make a responsible decision.
Interestingly, Soni also disabled the comments section on her Instagram post, seemingly choosing to share her views without opening the post to public reactions.
Dia Mirza's Diwali Video Triggered a Political Controversy
Soni's post comes amid the controversy surrounding Dia Mirza's video for the BMC's Diwali awareness campaign. In the video, Dia had appealed to Mumbai residents to celebrate the festival without adding to noise and air pollution.
She encouraged people to celebrate Diwali with happiness rather than firecracker noise, highlighting the harmful effects of pollution on the environment and public health.
However, the video was removed from the BMC's social media accounts after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam objected to Dia's involvement in the campaign. He questioned the choice of the actress, saying people did not need lessons on how to celebrate Diwali.
The removal attracted criticism because videos featuring other celebrities, including Madhuri Dixit and cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, remained available.
Dia Mirza Responds to the Backlash
After the video was taken down, Dia Mirza clarified that her message was intended to promote public awareness and encourage healthier celebrations.
The actress maintained that air pollution was a public health concern and that efforts to reduce it should be welcomed. She also questioned why anyone would object to a video recorded at the request of the BMC and in the interest of the public.
Dia's message received support from several people who questioned why her video had been singled out when other celebrities had made similar appeals.
The controversy subsequently reached the Bombay High Court, which expressed displeasure over the political remarks surrounding the video and directed the BMC to restore it.
Bombay High Court Steps In
The Bombay High Court strongly criticised the controversy being created around an environmental awareness campaign. The court emphasised that India is a secular country and that air pollution affects everyone, regardless of religion or caste.
It also observed that the BMC commissioner had been correct in selecting celebrities to spread awareness about pollution.
The court directed the civic body to re-upload Dia Mirza's video, making it clear that an environmental issue should not be unnecessarily turned into a religious or political controversy.
Soni Razdan's Comments Add Another Voice to the Debate
With Soni Razdan now expressing her views, the discussion around firecrackers, pollution and celebrity-led awareness campaigns has gained fresh attention.
While Dia Mirza's video became the centre of a political controversy, Soni's post has focused on the health consequences of air pollution, particularly for children.
Her strong choice of words has once again brought the debate into the spotlight as Diwali approaches. The larger question remains how people can celebrate the festival while also considering the environmental and health impact of firecrackers.
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