The BBC Documentary On Modi Provokes A Controversial Storm In India

Narendra Modi is India’s prime minister, a leader with an enormous global profile and key ally of the US and UK. But he’s also dogged by allegations that his policies reflect prejudice against the country’s Muslim minority.

A new BBC documentary explores those allegations. The program accuses Modi of directing police to turn a blind eye to deadly violence that swept through the western Indian state of Gujarat in 2002, after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was set on fire.

What Is The Documentary About?

A bbc documentary on modi has provoked a storm in India, where the government accused the broadcaster of having a “colonial mindset.” The two-part film, titled India: The Modi Question, revisits a controversial episode in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s life when he was chief minister of Gujarat in 2002, during which more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, died in riots. The documentary was not aired in India and the government blocked social media sites from sharing clips of the film, but it has been available on some platforms using virtual private networks (VPNs).

The documentary has brought back to public scrutiny allegations that Modi’s government allowed or even encouraged the violence. The allegations have long hounded Modi, and have led the US, UK and EU to impose visa restrictions on him over fears that he might stifle minority rights in his pursuit of economic growth.

But the documentary’s screening in the US is raising new concerns. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have organized a Washington, DC, screening to coincide with Modi’s visit on June 20, which is expected to raise his profile in the United States and further fuel suspicions that he lacks commitment to minority rights and free speech in India.

Modi’s office declined to comment on the documentary, but the BBC has defended it as “rigorously researched.” The program was made after a year of research and interviews with “a range of voices and witnesses,” according to the statement. The BBC also said the film was made with the highest editorial standards in mind.

The documentary’s ban in India has put a spotlight on the dwindling democratic freedoms in one of the world’s largest democracies. The government’s actions against the BBC have drawn criticism from lawmakers in the US and the UK, including Conservative MP Bob Blackman and Rami Ranger, a member of the House of Lords who is of Pakistani heritage. They join Amna Nawaz to discuss the latest developments. The censorship of the BBC documentary in India is a clear violation of freedom of expression and should not be tolerated.

The Riots In Gujarat In 2002

The two-part BBC documentary, India: The Modi Question, examines Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership as chief minister of Gujarat during a series of religious riots in 2002 that killed more than 1,000 people. The riots began after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was attacked, and they were fueled by a desire for revenge from local Muslims who had been blamed for the attack. The riots lasted for weeks and left over 100,000 people homeless, and Modi has been accused of failing to do enough to stop them. He has denied the accusations and a Supreme Court-ordered investigation found no evidence to prosecute him.

The documentary also reveals for the first time that a UK government report on the riots held Modi directly responsible and called for his resignation, and that Jack Straw, then the British foreign secretary, said that the attacks had “all the hallmarks of an ethnic cleansing campaign”. It also shows how the BJP and the right-wing Hindu organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, helped Modi rise to power, and how he has used the riots to promote his nationalist agenda since becoming prime minister.

While the allegations in the documentary are not new, they have been given a new context and attention as Modi’s popularity has risen in the West. The controversies surrounding Modi’s past are an important reminder of the fact that he is still a human being, and that not all of his actions are in line with the values of the countries that have elevated him to world prominence.

The controversy has erupted just as Modi is due to visit the United States, where his critics say his government’s policies on minorities will cause problems for bilateral relations. In the run-up to his arrival, a number of civil society groups and academics have asked the White House to host a screening of the documentary in Washington to raise awareness about the allegations against Modi. The request has been endorsed by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, who are organizing the screening. India’s government has responded angrily to the documentary, calling it “hostile propaganda” and blocking videos of it on YouTube and Twitter.

The BBC’s Role In The Documentary

The BBC’s India: The Modi Question sparked controversy in both the UK and India. The documentary is examining Modi’s role in the 2002 anti-Muslim violence in his home state of Gujarat, during which more than 1,000 people were killed. Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat at the time of the riots, and many of those who died were Muslims. The documentary cites a British Foreign Office report that says Modi was “directly responsible” for the violence. It also cites statements from police officers who say that they were instructed to enforce a “divide and conquer” policy toward India’s Muslim population.

The documentary has been banned in India and the BBC has received criticism for its decision to air it. The Indian government has argued that the documentary is biased and lacks objectivity. A foreign ministry spokesman said that the documentary was propaganda and relied on discredited evidence. He added that the BBC should focus on its own issues rather than looking at India’s problems.

Despite the ban, some groups have tried to screen the documentary in India. However, they have faced arrests and violence from rightwing groups. The BBC has defended the documentary, saying that it was “rigorously researched according to the highest editorial standards”. It is not clear whether a public screening of the documentary would qualify as a right to freedom of expression under India’s constitution.

In a statement, the BBC said that it was “proud to have produced this programme which examines an important aspect of our nation’s history. We are disappointed that India has blocked its broadcast and taken measures to prevent viewers from watching it.” The BBC has asked platforms like YouTube to remove unauthorized uploads of the documentary. It has also issued copyright takedown notices to multiple platforms that have mirrored the film online.

The BBC has a long history of reporting on issues in India. The documentary is the latest example of the BBC’s commitment to telling stories that matter. While the BBC has a responsibility to inform its audience, it should also be mindful of the impact that its reporting can have on society.

The Indian Government’s Response To The Documentary

The documentary’s publication in the UK prompted an outcry in India. The government called it a “propaganda piece designed to push a particularly discredited narrative” that lacked objectivity. It also invoked emergency information technology laws to block sharing of the documentary on social media platforms, which complied with the request. In a statement, the BBC said that it was “rigorously researched and involved a wide range of voices and opinions.” It added that it had offered the Indian government a right to reply but it had declined.

The two-part documentary examines Modi’s role in the Gujarat riots of 2002, when he was chief minister of the state. Activists claim that more than 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the violence, although officials put the death toll at less than half that. Modi has long denied accusations that he failed to stop the violence, and a Supreme Court-ordered inquiry found that no evidence supported the charges.

However, the documentary obtained access to a previously confidential report from the British Foreign Office that deemed him directly responsible for the riots. It also included an interview with Jack Straw, the foreign secretary at the time. Straw’s testimony was a powerful indictment of Modi’s leadership during the riots.

In response, the Indian government slammed the documentary as “hostile propaganda” and accused the BBC of biased reporting. Kanchan Gupta, an adviser to the ministry of information and broadcasting, called it “anti-India garbage.”

Amid a wave of criticism from opposition parties, human rights groups, and student activists, the government began blocking access to the documentary on social media. It also blocked YouTube and Twitter posts that included links to it.

But the documentary remained available on alternative websites, and enterprising Indians were able to bypass the blocks by using VPNs and trading flash drives. In addition, there were unauthorized screenings of the documentary in several cities across the country. These wildcat screenings were met with a hailstorm of abuse from local BJP leaders, who warned that they would be tantamount to treason. Despite these threats, the screenings went ahead as planned.

Conclusion:

The BBC documentary on Narendra Modi provides a comprehensive insight into the life, political journey, and leadership of one of India’s most polarizing figures. The film explores the successes and controversies surrounding Modi’s tenure as Prime Minister, shedding light on the economic reforms, foreign policy initiatives, and domestic policies undertaken by his government. While the documentary acknowledges the undeniable impact Modi has had on India’s development and global standing, it also raises important questions about human rights issues, social tensions, and concerns about democratic institutions under his leadership.

FAQs:

1. How has Narendra Modi influenced India’s economy? The documentary highlights several economic reforms implemented during Narendra Modi’s tenure, such as the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), demonetization, and initiatives to promote manufacturing and entrepreneurship. These measures aimed to streamline the tax system, curb corruption, and boost economic growth. While some supporters credit Modi for positive economic indicators and increased foreign investment, critics argue that the benefits of these policies have not equally reached all segments of society, leading to income inequality and joblessness in certain sectors.
2. What controversies and criticisms surround Narendra Modi’s leadership? The documentary delves into various controversies and criticisms that have arisen during Modi’s time as Prime Minister. Some of the most prominent issues include concerns over rising religious tensions, particularly in relation to Hindu nationalism and incidents of violence against religious minorities. Critics also raise questions about the government’s handling of dissent, press freedom, and human rights issues. Additionally, the handling of the economy, including the impact of demonetization and agrarian distress, has been a subject of intense debate. The documentary underscores the importance of addressing these concerns to ensure a more inclusive and balanced governance.