Imran Khan's girlfriend, Lekha Washington, has come out in support of Dia Mirza amid the backlash over her anti-firecracker appeal ahead of Diwali 2026. Questioning the criticism faced by the actress, Lekha claimed that Dia was silenced despite being invited to speak about environmental awareness.

Lekha shared her reaction through a social media video, in which she defended Dia's appeal to reduce firecracker use during the festival. However, she later deleted the video from her social media feed. Notably, the clip had already caught the attention of fans before its removal.

Lekha Washington Defends Dia Mirza Over Anti-Firecracker Appeal

Lekha Washington criticised the backlash against Dia Mirza, pointing out that the actress was being targeted despite making a simple request for a more considerate Diwali celebration.

In her now-deleted video, Lekha said, "Today we silenced Dia Mirza after actually asking her to speak with the line 'our tradition is our culture'."

She further questioned what was wrong with Dia's message, explaining that the actress had only encouraged people to burst fewer firecrackers to reduce air and noise pollution.

Comparing Dia to India's Bambi, Lekha described her as a gentle and soft-spoken person who was simply requesting people to be more considerate. She also made a sarcastic remark about the criticism directed at the actress for promoting an environmentally conscious celebration.

Lekha's reaction brought renewed attention to the controversy, particularly the criticism surrounding Dia's appeal and the removal of the campaign video.

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Why Is Dia Mirza Facing Backlash Over Her Diwali Message?

The controversy started ahead of Diwali 2026, when Dia Mirza joined the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) pollution-awareness campaign.

As part of the initiative, the actress appeared in a video encouraging Mumbaikars to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali. She urged people to avoid or reduce firecracker use, highlighting the harmful effects of fireworks on air quality and noise levels.

The BMC also shared a caption referring to the Bombay High Court's directions. It stated, "In accordance with the directives of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court, bursting firecrackers on public roads, lanes, and footpaths is strictly prohibited."

However, the campaign video soon became a subject of criticism on social media. Following the backlash, the BMC took down the video, further intensifying the discussion around Dia's involvement in the initiative.

Dia Mirza Breaks Silence on the Diwali Controversy

Following the criticism, Dia Mirza explained the purpose behind her participation in the BMC campaign during a conversation with Hindustan Times.

The actress clarified that her message was intended to create public awareness and encourage healthier festival celebrations, rather than question anyone's traditions or beliefs.

Dia said, "Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair."

She further explained that the video was recorded with the intention of encouraging people to celebrate in a more mindful manner. Highlighting the impact of pollution on public health, Dia stressed that every effort to reduce air pollution is a positive step towards a healthier environment.

Dia Mirza Profile
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Lekha Washington's Video Adds Another Twist to the Controversy

With Lekha Washington speaking out in Dia Mirza's support, the controversy has once again gained attention. While Dia's original message focused on reducing pollution during Diwali, Lekha questioned the backlash against someone who was simply encouraging a more considerate celebration.

The episode has reignited the discussion around Diwali traditions, firecracker use, environmental responsibility and public health, with differing opinions continuing to shape the debate.

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