BBC Documentary On Modi Banned In India

The bbc documentary on modi is stirring up controversy across the globe. It revisits allegations from two decades ago, when a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was set on fire and more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died in retaliatory violence.

The government says the documentary is a propaganda piece and has blocked sharing on social media. It also accused the BBC of bias, lack of objectivity and a continuing colonial mindset.

What Is The Documentary About?

The two-part bbc documentary on modi, India: The Modi Question, revisits allegations that the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, played a role in deadly riots in Gujarat more than 20 years ago. It cites an unpublished government report and interviews with Indian politicians and others. Modi has denied the accusations and has been cleared by a Supreme Court-ordered investigation of complicity in the violence. But the new material has angered his ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and brought the issue back into public focus.

The documentary was not screened in India, and its online distribution has been blocked by the Indian government and its tech partners. YouTube and Twitter have complied with the order, which a ministry adviser said used emergency powers granted by India’s information technology rules. The government criticized the BBC for “anti-India propaganda” and “continuing colonial mindset” and warned it could disrupt U.K.-India ties.

But despite the blocking, students and others have set up wildcat screenings across India, facing arrest and threats from rightwing groups. Some have even tried to use virtual private networks (VPNs) to get around the blocks.

Last week, income tax officials raided the newsrooms of the BBC’s Mumbai and Delhi offices. They seized accounts, financial documents and phones and told employees to stay home. It was the latest in a series of raids against the BBC in the wake of its critical documentary on Modi.

The documentary is the latest episode in the long saga of Modi and his rise to power. It outlines how he rose through the ranks of a right-wing Hindu organisation, and describes his involvement in a controversial 2002 train bombing that sparked riots in which more than 1,000 people were killed, most of them Muslims. It also explores his alleged links to a banned Islamist group, and the role his family has played in politics. The BBC has defended the documentary, saying it was “rigorously researched according to the highest editorial standards.” It is expected to broadcast a second part this week. The documentary has been hailed by critics, but the government’s reaction has raised questions about its impact and the free flow of information in India.

Why Is The Documentary Controversial?

A BBC documentary about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has angered the government and provoked a defamation case from an Indian group. The two-part documentary, India: The Modi Question, revisits allegations of religious violence in 2002, when Modi was chief minister of the state of Gujarat. During that period, riots between Hindus and Muslims broke out after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was set on fire, killing dozens. In retaliation, Hindu mobs killed hundreds of Muslims and destroyed or burned their homes and shops. The documentary cites a secret report by the British foreign office, which held that Modi was responsible for the violence and that state officials had been complicit in a climate of impunity.

The government insisted that the documentary was biased and lacked objectivity. It also accused the BBC of displaying a “continuing colonial mindset”. The BBC has not broadcast the documentary in India, but students have been able to hold screenings across the country. The students have faced threats of violence from rightwing groups and accusations of treason, but they have refused to back down. The BBC has defended the documentary, saying that it was “rigorously researched according to the highest editorial standards”.

India’s PM has long been surrounded by controversy over the riots. He has repeatedly denied any role in the bloodshed, and a Supreme Court investigation cleared him of any charges. But the documentary has raised questions about his handling of the crisis and alleged links to rightwing Hindu nationalists.

The documentary also claims that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, a militant group, led the riots with government support. It quotes a senior British diplomat who says that the violence was part of a plan to purge Muslims from Hindu areas. The documentary has angered the Indian government, which is thin-skinned about criticism of its policies.

The controversy has strained India-U.K. ties. The government has threatened to disrupt ties with Britain, accusing the BBC of bias and a colonial mindset. But the BBC has defended the documentary, calling it a “critical examination of the evidence available”. It has also called on the government to withdraw its proposal to give fact-checking agencies powers to remove news deemed fake or false from digital platforms.

What Is The Conclusion Of The Documentary?

The two-part documentary explores the role of Modi as chief minister of Gujarat during a three-day period of violence in 2002, during which hundreds of people were killed, mostly Muslims. The BBC has alleged that it was given access to a confidential British government report, which holds the state government and PM responsible for the riots. The riots were allegedly led by the Hindu nationalist organisation Vishwa Hindu Parishad and have been described as having the “hallmarks of ethnic cleansing”.

While some of the allegations in the documentary may be familiar to anyone who has followed India news, it is one of the first documentaries to bring together all of the evidence in one place and present it in an accessible way for viewers outside of India. It also highlights the way in which the Indian judiciary has protected the PM and other senior politicians from accountability for their role in the riots.

The Indian government has condemned the documentary as biased and anti-Indian. The Ministry of External Affairs called it a propaganda piece that lacks objectivity and shows a “colonial mindset”.

It is not unusual for the Indian government to be thin-skinned about criticism, especially from foreign media outlets like the BBC. However, this documentary has come at a particularly sensitive time, just before the country’s general election next year. The BJP is expected to win, but the documentary has raised concerns about the treatment of minorities in the country.

In addition to the ban on the documentary in India, there have been protests against the BBC from across the country. The BJP has accused the BBC of trying to destabilise the government ahead of the election. The BBC has denied the claims and said it will continue to investigate allegations against the government.

In the meantime, the documentary has been screened in the US, where it was welcomed by human rights groups. The screenings were held by the organisations Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, ahead of Modi’s official visit to the White House later this week. However, the NGO Justice for Trial has filed a suit against the BBC in the Delhi High Court, claiming that it has defamed India and its highest levels of government including its judiciary. The court has issued a notice to the BBC and ordered it to respond to the allegations.

What Is The Verdict Of The Documentary?

A BBC documentary on Indian PM Narendra Modi’s alleged involvement in the Gujarat riots of 2002 has stirred up controversy in India, with tax officials inspecting the British broadcaster’s offices and rightwing politicians accusing it of having an anti-Modi agenda. The two-part documentary aired in the UK in January, and India’s foreign ministry slammed it as a “propaganda piece” that revisited allegations that were already investigated and dismissed by the courts. The government also blocked sharing of the documentary on social media and refused to allow it to be broadcast in India. However, independent journalists and students have managed to circumvent this censorship by using virtual private networks (VPNs), trading flash drives and other means.

The documentary focuses on Modi’s leadership as chief minister of the state of Gujarat during the riots, which killed hundreds of people, most of them Muslims. The BBC alleges that he failed to take adequate action to stop the violence and used the riots to promote his Hindu nationalist ideology and electoral success. The BBC claims that it has researched the case thoroughly and that its conclusions are based on credible evidence.

The controversy over the documentary has come at a sensitive time for India, which is seeking closer ties with western powers and presenting itself as the world’s biggest democracy and fastest growing economy. Some in the west have criticized Modi’s government for its treatment of minorities and human rights violations, but this has been met with denials from his supporters.

The dispute has led to protests from MPs and peers from both sides of the House of Lords, including Conservative Bob Blackman, who accused the BBC of a “hatchet job,” and Rami Ranger, a Labour peer, who asked why the BBC employed staff with Pakistani origins to produce the programme. The BBC has defended the documentary, saying that it was “rigorously researched and adhered to the highest editorial standards.” But critics say the BBC has failed to balance the story with facts and that it has ignored important evidence. They also point out that the documentary is not available on the BBC’s official YouTube channel, which is a breach of the terms of service for the site.

Conclusion:

The BBC documentary on Narendra Modi offers a comprehensive insight into the life and political journey of one of India’s most influential leaders. Throughout the documentary, viewers are exposed to various facets of Modi’s life, from his humble beginnings as a tea seller to his rise as the Prime Minister of India. The film delves into his policies, political strategies, and the impact of his leadership on India’s socio-economic landscape. It also explores the controversies and criticisms surrounding his tenure, providing a balanced perspective on his tenure in office. Ultimately, the documentary leaves audiences with a deeper understanding of Modi’s leadership style, the complexities of Indian politics, and the enduring legacy he has left on the nation.

FAQs:

1. What are some key achievements of Narendra Modi during his tenure as Prime Minister of India? Throughout his tenure as Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi spearheaded several key initiatives and policies that had a significant impact on the country. Some of his notable achievements include:

1. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: A massive cleanliness campaign aimed at improving sanitation and hygiene across the country.
2. Jan Dhan Yojana: A financial inclusion program that aimed to provide banking services to millions of unbanked households.
3. Make in India: An initiative to promote manufacturing and attract foreign investment to boost India’s economic growth.
4. Goods and Services Tax (GST) Implementation: A historic tax reform that aimed to streamline India’s complex taxation system.
5. Digital India: A campaign to promote the adoption of digital technology and improve online infrastructure.

1. What controversies have surrounded Narendra Modi’s leadership? Narendra Modi’s leadership has not been without controversy. Some of the major controversies that have surrounded him include:

1. Gujarat Riots of 2002: As the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time, Modi faced criticism for his handling of the communal riots that resulted in significant loss of life and property.
2. Demonetization: In 2016, the sudden decision to demonetize high-value currency notes led to economic disruptions and divided opinions on its effectiveness.
3. Religious and Minority Rights: Critics have accused Modi’s government of not doing enough to protect the rights of religious and minority communities.
4. Freedom of Speech and Press: There have been concerns about the shrinking space for dissent and media freedom under his administration.
5. Kashmir Issue: Modi’s government’s approach towards the disputed region of Kashmir has been a subject of debate and criticism, both domestically and internationally.

It’s important to note that opinions on these controversies vary, and there are differing perspectives on Modi’s handling of these situations.