BBC documentary on Modi

BBC documentary on Modi

In June 2022, India along with several other countries, signed a statement calling for the protection of freedom, independence, and diversity of civil society actors, as well as the protection of freedom of expression and opinion both online and offline. However, just six months later, the Modi government exercised its emergency pass to have a BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots blocked across social media platforms, including Twitter and YouTube. This was done in accordance with instructions from the INB Ministry.

The documentary in question explores the 2002 Gujarat riots and the role of the state government under Narendra Modi. It also includes an interview with the former UK Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, who states on record that the UK government conducted its own probe into the 2002 riots. The documentary also quotes from a secret classified report that places blame directly on Narendra Modi.

The Modi government has reacted sharply to the BBC documentary. The MEA spokesperson said that, although he had not watched the documentary, what he had heard of it reeks of a colonial mindset. He also questioned the authority of UK government diplomats to conduct a probe in India. Union Law Minister, Kirindi Jiju, stated that Prime Minister Modi's voice represents the 1.4 billion Indians and that India cannot be disgraced by such malicious campaigns. A group of former army veterans, ex-church leaders, and ex-bureaucrats also issued a statement slamming the BBC documentary, calling it a motivated chart sheet against Modi, a fellow Indian and patriot.

Opposition parties in India have also taken on the Modi government for blocking the documentary from being viewed in India. TMC's Mahua Moitra shared an archive link of the documentary on Twitter and stated that she had not been elected to the world's largest democracy to accept censorship. AIMIM President questioned the Union government on how they could justify such censorship.

In conclusion, the Modi government's decision to exercise its emergency pass and block a BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots has caused a massive political approach. It raises questions about the government's commitment to freedom of expression and the protection of civil society actors. It also raises concerns about censorship and the suppression of dissenting voices.