After the Bombay High Court expressed displeasure over celebrities asking for money to participate in anti-pollution campaigns, Dia Mirza has come forward to address the issue. During a recent interview, the actress clarified that she has never taken any money for public service campaigns.

During the conversation with Hindustan TimesDia shared, “I have never taken any money for any public service campaigns. No one knows who has been paid huge sums of money. The point is that celebrities are ready to work with civil society and governments if the very solvable issue of pollution is a priority. Every time we speak out against the use of firecrackers, we are attacked.”

Citing examples from his efforts to reduce air pollution for more than a decade, he said, “It’s a constant effort to draw attention to pollution and solutions. If you check my Instagram status, you’ll see daily updates on AQI. UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) has made strategic efforts to mobilize and support some efforts to combat air pollution. The problem is that government agencies don’t coordinate and work together.”

Dia’s response comes after the Bombay High Court said that celebrities should not be paid with public money to participate in awareness campaigns. On Monday, during a hearing on Mumbai’s rising air pollution and the use of firecrackers during Navratri, Justice Girish Kulkarni said, “If celebrities don’t want to come forward for free, they don’t have to go, if they charge a fee, it’s the wrong approach altogether. They have lived in this city and gained a lot from it. If they don’t have the sense to come forward, they don’t have the sense to come forward. Waste public money on it.”

The bench also suggested contacting Marathi actors, if required, to agree to participate in the campaign free of charge.

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