The BBC’s two-part documentary on Prime Minister Modi’s leadership during Gujarat riots in 2002, which resulted in more than 1,000 deaths, has sparked outrage in India. His government has banned it from being shown in the country and forced social media platforms like Twitter and YouTube to take down clips using emergency censorship powers.
Narendra Modi
In the world of Indian politics, few names are more recognizable than that of bbc documentary on modi. With his trim beard and stern demeanor, Modi is the top political official for Gujarat, a northwestern state with about 60 million people. He is also a member of the right-wing Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has been a key player in India’s politics for decades.
Modi’s political career has been marked by deep controversy and self-promotion. He was criticized for his role in the communal violence that engulfed Gujarat in 2002, in which dozens of Muslims were killed when their train was set on fire. The United States refused to issue him a diplomatic visa because of the controversy, and many in India have accused him of being complicit in the riots.
Despite this, Modi’s popularity with the public remains strong. He is considered a “people’s leader,” dedicated to solving their problems and improving their lives. He is known as the most techno-savvy Prime Minister in India, using social media to communicate with the public.
He has also worked to strengthen India’s global standing. He has met with leaders from around the world to discuss economic development and promote bilateral ties. He has made significant investments in infrastructure and technology to improve India’s economy. This has been a success, and in 2019 Forbes named him the 15th most powerful person in the world.
As the leader of a developing country, Modi has a responsibility to protect his citizens and preserve the environment. He has implemented several new environmental initiatives to reduce pollution and promote sustainable development. These include the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which provides low-interest loans to the poor, and the Swachch Bharat Mission, which cleans public places.
While India is not yet a carbon-free country, Modi’s efforts have improved air quality and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, he has taken steps to protect biodiversity and increase access to clean water. He has also partnered with countries to develop renewable energy sources and expand access to affordable healthcare and education.
2002 Gujarat Riots
A BBC documentary has sparked a new controversy in India as it probes the prime minister’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, which killed more than 1,000 people, most of them Muslims. The two-part series, India: The Modi Question, cites an unpublished report by the British government that accuses him of “direct responsibility for the climate of impunity” during the three days of violence. The BBC is not screening the documentary in India and has blocked sharing of clips on social media, a move that has angered New Delhi. It has accused the BBC of bias and a colonial mindset.
A group called Justice on Trial has filed a defamation suit against the BBC in a Delhi high court for the documentary, claiming it had defamed the country and the PM. Its lawyer argued that the documentary had “defamed the entire system including the judiciary,” and called for a ban on it. The BBC responded that it would defend itself in court, but it will not stop the documentary from being seen in other countries.
The documentary focuses on the three days of violence that took place in Gujarat after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims burned in the city of Godhra. The documentary claims that Modi, then chief minister of the state, did not intervene to stop the violence, despite knowing about it. It also alleges that the police did nothing to prevent the killings.
Although Modi has denied the allegations, a special investigation team found that he failed to act effectively. The government has denied the allegations, and accused the BBC of bias and a colonial mind-set for bringing them back into the public eye.
The documentary has already sparked controversy in the United States, where it will be shown on June 20—the day Modi arrives for a trip to Washington. Several Indian activists have planned protests, and the BJP has threatened to block the film. But Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International are holding screenings in the capital, hoping to draw attention to censorship of the documentary in India. The activists plan to hold hundreds of screenings in cities around the country.
India’s Relationship With The UK
India’s relationship with the UK has transformed from a strained one to a robust partnership. The British government’s vision for a global Britain that prioritises the Indo-Pacific region has aligned with Indian interests. The UK’s plan for a free trade agreement with India, as well as the removal of visa restrictions for high-skilled workers from India, signals a new relationship that is more focused on economic issues than politics and normative differences.
However, a two-part BBC documentary that questions Modi’s actions as Gujarat chief minister during deadly sectarian riots in 2002 has sparked controversy. The BBC’s India: The Modi Question is set to air in the United States, a move that has irked India’s government. The documentary is based on an unpublished government report obtained by the BBC. The documentary has caused India to react with a sense of urgency, as it is being aired just days ahead of the prime minister’s visit to the US.
The government has not only criticised the BBC’s documentary, but it has also blocked clips from being shared on social media, using emergency powers available under India’s information technology laws. The Modi administration is very thin-skinned about criticism, especially when it comes from international publications like the BBC. This is particularly because the BBC is an established international publication with a lot of credibility, and it carries a certain weight in the world.
In the past, India has felt that the UK had a colonial mindset and was hostile to its independent non-aligned foreign policy. The UK’s opposition to India’s taking over of Goa and Sikkim from Portugal, its nuclear tests, and its dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir reflected this attitude.
But the UK government’s vision for a global Britain, as stated in its integrated review, has shown that it has a new perspective on the world. The UK is committed to a global role, including in the Indo-Pacific region, and it wants to work with India to tackle global challenges such as cyber security, space, climate and terrorism. The UK government’s desire to build an economy that is open to the rest of the world and its commitment to the Paris climate deal have given new momentum to the India-UK relationship.
The BBC Documentary
The BBC’s new documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi has prompted India’s government to invoke emergency censorship powers on social media platforms to block access to the two-episode film. The government has also asked YouTube and Twitter to remove online versions of the film, which examines allegations that the prime minister encouraged or allowed violence during communal riots in Gujarat in 2002, leading to the deaths of more than 1,000 people, most of them Muslims.
The documentary, titled “India: The Modi Question,” focuses on claims that the prime minister, who was chief minister of Gujarat at the time, ordered police to turn a blind eye to mob attacks on minority Muslims in the aftermath of a train fire that killed dozens of Hindu pilgrims. It cites a previously unpublished British government report that says Modi was directly responsible for the climate of impunity that enabled the riots to take place. The prime minister has denied the accusations and has not apologized for his role in the violence, which many see as an act of ethnic cleansing.
But the BJP government has responded to the documentary with outrage, accusing the BBC of being biased and spreading “anti-India garbage.” The Indian prime minister’s office and income tax officials raided the broadcaster’s Delhi offices and conducted an investigation into its foreign exchange transactions. The government has also used emergency powers to block video clips on YouTube and Twitter, and arrested students who have held screenings of the film.
The government’s censorship actions have sparked outrage among digital rights activists and human rights groups. Some of the platforms that have blocked access to the documentary have cited copyright requests, but others have argued that this is not a valid reason for blocking it. Several channels on YouTube have been shut down, but Meta, the company that owns the platform, says they were removed because of copyright violations and not because of pressure from the government. The BBC has defended the documentary and says it has done extensive research. It has also said that it offered the government a right of reply, but they declined.
Conclusion
The BBC documentary on Modi provides a comprehensive and insightful portrayal of the Indian Prime Minister’s political journey and leadership style. It delves into his achievements, controversies, and impact on India’s socio-economic landscape. With a balanced approach, the documentary leaves viewers with a deeper understanding of Narendra Modi’s role in shaping the nation.
FAQs:
- Is the BBC documentary on Modi unbiased? The BBC is known for its commitment to journalistic integrity and impartiality. While it strives to present a balanced perspective, the notion of complete neutrality is subjective. The documentary utilizes extensive research and diverse viewpoints to offer a comprehensive overview of Modi’s tenure, but individual perceptions of bias may vary.
- Does the documentary cover Modi’s entire political career? The documentary focuses on key aspects of Modi’s political journey, ranging from his early days as a Chief Minister to his role as India’s Prime Minister. While it may not cover every minute detail, it offers a substantial overview of the significant events and developments throughout his career, providing valuable insights into his leadership.
