The government has directed social media platforms Twitter and YouTube to block links to the controversial documentary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on the 2002 Gujarat riots, PTI reported on Saturday. The direction was issued by Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Friday using the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021.
According to the report, senior officials of several ministries, including external affairs, home affairs, and information and broadcasting, examined the documentary and found it to be an attempt to cast aspersions on the authority and credibility of the Supreme Court, sow divisions among various Indian communities, and make unsubstantiated allegations regarding actions of foreign governments in India.
Sources told the news agency that the documentary was found to be undermining the sovereignty and integrity of India, and having the potential to adversely impact friendly relations with foreign states as also public order within the country.
The BBC had aired the first episode of the two-part documentary, titled India: The Modi Question, on Tuesday. The film allegedly claimed that a probe team of the British government had held Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was then the state’s chief minister, “directly responsible” for the riots.
India has strongly criticised the documentary, calling it a “propaganda piece” designed to push a particular “discredited narrative”. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday said the documentary was a reflection on the agency and individuals that are peddling this narrative again.
“It makes us wonder about purpose of this exercise and agenda behind it,” Bagchi said, adding that bias, lack of objectivity and continuing colonial mindset were blatantly visible in the documentary.
The BBC, however, defended its programme, saying it was “rigorously researched” according to highest editorial standards.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties slammed the government's decision to ban the documentary in the country and accused it of imposing censorship.
"PM and his drumbeaters assert that the new BBC documentary on him is slanderous. Censorship has been imposed," Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said on Twitter. "Then why did PM Vajpayee want his exit in 2002, only to be pressured not to insist by the threat of resignation by Advani?" he asked.
Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien claimed the documentary had "exposed" Modi. "CENSORSHIP@Twitter @TwitterIndia HAS TAKEN DOWN MY TWEET of the #BBCDocumentary, it received lakhs of views. The 1 hr @BBC docu exposes how PM @narendramodi HATES MINORITIES," he tweeted.
