The two-part documentary examines Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role in riots that took place in his home state of Gujarat in 2002. The riots resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 people.
The Indian government has criticised the documentary, saying that it lacks objectivity and is propaganda. It has also asked YouTube and Twitter to block clips from the documentary in India.
What Is The Documentary About?
The two-part bbc documentary on modi, India: The Modi Question, examines allegations of Hindu nationalists committing human rights violations in the country of 1.3 billion people, with nearly 80% following the religion of Hinduism. The film criticizes Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his role in riots that killed hundreds of Muslims during his term as chief minister of the western state of Gujarat in 2002, which was sparked by the fire bombing of a train carrying Hindu pilgrims that was blamed on Muslim extremists. The documentary states that Modi “played a proactive part in pulling back the police and tacitly encouraging the Hindu extremists” during the riots. The document also says that at least three Indian-origin British citizens were among the victims of the riots.
The BBC’s decision to air the documentary was controversial in India, as it went against the government’s censorship laws and was accused of showing a biased viewpoint. The government also filed a defamation lawsuit against the BBC, saying it violated its constitutional right to free speech and harmed the reputation of India.
The lawsuit alleged that the documentary was intended to tarnish the image of Modi and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, as well as the nation’s police force and judiciary. It also alleged that the document was anti-Indian and insulting to the country’s Hindu nationalist leaders and activists, including the RSS, the BJP’s parent organization.
The documentary is important because it highlights the alleged human rights abuses in India that many western countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, have turned a blind eye to as they seek close trade and security ties with the nation of 1.3 billion people. It is also important because the country’s Hindu minority has faced a barrage of violence from the nation’s Hindu nationalists in recent years, and it appears that Modi’s government has done little to address these concerns. The documentary may prompt further discussion about how the country should move forward as it seeks to become the world’s largest democracy and an ally of the West. Watch India: The Modi Question and more acclaimed documentaries on BBC Select today. Restrictions apply*.
What Is The Purpose Of The Documentary?
The two-part documentary, called India: The Modi Question, examines allegations about the Indian leader’s role in a 2002 series of anti-Muslim riots that killed more than 1,000 people. It criticizes his leadership as chief minister of Gujarat during the riots, arguing that he failed to intervene effectively and allowed the violence to spiral out of control. Modi has denied the accusations and a Supreme Court-ordered investigation found no evidence to support them. The BBC’s decision to air the documentary prompted a backlash from the Indian government, including calls for it to be banned in the country. In addition, the BBC’s offices in Delhi were raided by tax authorities as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged foreign exchange violations.
Despite the controversy, the BBC stands by the documentary, saying it was rigorously researched and met the highest editorial standards. The government, however, has accused the BBC of having an anti-Modi agenda for revisiting claims that are more than two decades old. It has also argued that the documentary is unfair because it does not include evidence to support the allegations against the prime minister.
But the film has drawn attention to human rights concerns in India, where the government of Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party is accused of stifling independent media and repressing civil society groups that challenge its authority. The documentary also raises questions about how the government is handling a series of violent attacks on journalists and activists.
The controversies surrounding the documentary have heightened tensions between the world’s largest democracy and its closest ally. In an attempt to deflect criticism, the government has taken steps to make it difficult for people in India to watch the documentary. It has used emergency laws to block clips of the documentary from appearing on social media platforms like YouTube and Twitter, which complied with the order. In addition, the government has criticized the BBC for “unnecessary and unwarranted interference” in India’s internal affairs.
What Is The Conclusion Of The Documentary?
The documentary examines Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership as chief minister of the state of Gujarat during riots in 2002, when violence broke out between India’s majority Hindus and minority Muslims. The riots began after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was set on fire, killing dozens of people. In retaliation, Hindu mobs attacked and burned Muslim-owned homes and stores. Over 1,000 people died in the riots. Modi has denied accusations of failing to intervene, and a Supreme Court investigation found insufficient evidence to prosecute him.
The two-part BBC documentary, called India: The Modi Question, was aired in the UK in January and is currently available to stream online. However, the Indian government has slammed the film as “propaganda” that lacks objectivity and reflects a “colonial mindset.” The BBC has defended the documentary, saying it was “rigorously researched according to the highest editorial standards.”
In an unprecedented move, India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting banned the document from being shown in the country, even though it is not technically illegal. The ministry blocked segments from the documentary from appearing on YouTube (owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet), Twitter and other sites, using a cluster of new laws passed in 2021 that allow the government to suppress virtually any content it chooses.
This is not the first time that the Indian government has used these controversial laws to suppress critical content. It has used them on several occasions to suppress dissenting views and shut down websites. Human Rights Watch has called these actions a “breach of free speech” and a “disaster for journalism.”
Students at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi were able to gather for a screening of the documentary, but not without facing protests and arrests from university officials. They held the screening in defiance of an order from the school, and were later attacked by a small group of masked men. The incident has drawn criticism from international organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. These attacks are part of a wider campaign by the government to silence voices that criticize it.
What Is The Controversy Of The Documentary?
The documentary is controversial because it portrays the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, as being responsible for the 2002 Gujarat riots. It also alleges that he used the riots to gain political power and further his Hindu nationalist agenda. The documentary has been met with widespread criticism from the Indian government and has been banned in India. The government has also attempted to block people from sharing the documentary on social media platforms. The BBC has denied any bias and has said that the documentary is based on factual evidence.
The controversy surrounding the documentary has been heightened by the fact that it is being shown in the United States, just days before the arrival of PM Modi in Washington. Many activists and right-wing groups have protested the screening, claiming that the documentary is anti-Indian. Some of the protests have even led to violence and arrests. The BBC has defended the documentary, saying that it is based on factual evidence and was rigorously researched.
In addition to the public outcry, the documentary has also been the subject of a legal battle in India. In February, the government conducted an investigation into the BBC, searching offices in Delhi and Mumbai and seized financial documents. The government later filed a defamation suit against the BBC, claiming that it had “defamed” the country and its leaders.
A senior adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Kanchan Gupta, issued a statement that referred to the documentary as “hostile propaganda and anti-India garbage, disguised as ‘documentary’”. The ministry has also blocked clips on YouTube and Twitter, using emergency laws.
It is important to note that the documentary does not present a clear-cut case against Modi. It is a biased report that only focuses on one individual and leaves out the many other individuals, both Hindu and Muslim, who were involved in the riots. The film also suggests that the riots were a result of Modi’s leadership, which is completely unfounded.
It is important to remember that the riots were the result of a long history of tension between Hindus and Muslims in the state of Gujarat. There were a number of factors that contributed to the riots, including economic competition and religious differences. The documentary does not discuss any of these issues and focuses solely on the actions of one person.
Conclusion:
The BBC documentary on Modi offers a comprehensive and insightful portrayal of Narendra Modi, India’s enigmatic and controversial leader. It highlights his rise from humble beginnings to becoming Prime Minister, delves into his policies, and explores the impact of his governance on India and the world. Through interviews and analysis, the documentary leaves viewers with a deeper understanding of Modi’s leadership and its complexities.
FAQs:
- Is the BBC documentary on Modi biased? The BBC documentary strives to maintain journalistic integrity and impartiality. However, some viewers may perceive elements of bias based on their preexisting opinions or interpretations. It is essential to critically analyze multiple sources to form a well-rounded perspective.
- Does the documentary cover Modi’s entire political career? While the BBC documentary provides a comprehensive overview of Modi’s political journey, it may not cover every detail of his entire career due to time constraints. It focuses on key milestones and significant events that shaped his rise to power and his tenure as Prime Minister of India.
