The central government has banned a documentary on Modi made by the BBC in connection with the Gujarat riots.
Documentary produced by the BBC
A documentary on the Gujarat riots released by the London-based BBC is creating a new storm in Indian politics. The central government has expressed strong opposition to this documentary. Regarding this matter, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Pakshi, said, “This documentary has been made with the aim of spreading propaganda against India. This reflects the company that produced the documentary. This is a pro-documentary. This shows that the colonial mentality still persists. “This documentary is not dignified,” he criticized.
The film has since been removed from YouTube following protests against it. London-based BBC Television has produced a two-part documentary titled ‘India: The Modi Question’ (Part 1). The first episode was aired in London and uploaded on YouTube on January 17. The second part of this will be released on 24th. As this video went viral on social media, discussions started about it.
2002 riots in Gujarat
In 2002, the Sabarmati Express train carrying Godhra Karasevaks was set on fire in Gujarat, killing 59 people. Following this, 68 people were killed in communal riots in various cities of Gujarat. At that time, the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. A BBC documentary has been produced focusing on this riot.
Following this, the central government banned the documentary. That is, the film is said to have documented the investigation into the Gujarat riots and the condition of Indian Muslims under the Modi regime. There were supporters on one side and opposition on the other.
No relation to Modi; Supreme Court Judgment
A British MP of Pakistani origin spoke about this film in the UK Parliament. Imran Hussain had criticized and questioned that “Gotra riots are ethnic cleansing”. Responding to this, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, “There has been no change in the UK government’s position regarding the Gujarat riots. In any part of the world, let’s call for injustice. But it is not acceptable to pull the dignity of a leader,” he said.
It is to be noted that in the case filed in the Supreme Court regarding the Gujarat riots, the petition was dismissed on June 24 last year (2022) saying that Modi had nothing to do with the Gujarat riots.