BBC Film on PM Modi’s Role in 2002 Riots: Indian Government Reacts
The recent BBC documentary film on the 2002 Gujarat riots has caused widespread outcry in India, prompting the Indian government to take legal action against the BBC. The film portrays Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a negative light, claiming that he was complicit in the riots that claimed more than 1,000 lives and displaced over 150,000 people. The BBC documentary, titled ‘The Truth Behind the 2002 Gujarat Riots’, recounts the events of the 2002 Gujarat riots, which began after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was attacked in the town of Godhra. The documentary claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat, did not take sufficient steps to prevent the riots.
Government’s Reactions
The Indian government has sharply criticized the BBC documentary, claiming that it is biased and one-sided. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has described it as a “malicious attempt to defame India” and has demanded an apology from the BBC. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also issued a notice to the BBC, asking for an explanation for “the malicious and one-sided” content of the documentary. The ministry has asked the BBC to explain why it did not consult the government or any other stakeholder before airing the documentary.
Controversy Around the Documentary
The documentary has also sparked a heated debate in India, with many people criticizing the BBC for airing the documentary without verifying the facts. Critics of the documentary have argued that the BBC should have consulted the Indian government or other stakeholders before airing the documentary. The BJP, the ruling party in India, has also criticized the BBC, claiming that the documentary is an attempt to defame Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. The BJP has accused the BBC of ignoring the numerous efforts taken by the government to bring the perpetrators of the 2002 Gujarat riots to justice.
Legal Action Against the BBC
The Indian government has vowed to take legal action against the BBC for airing the documentary. The government has accused the BBC of violating the Programme Code and the Cable Television Network Rules, both of which prohibit the broadcast of content that is “likely to encourage or incite violence or contains anything against maintenance of law and order”. The government has also threatened to take legal action against the filmmakers and the broadcaster for “maligning” the image of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government has asked the BBC to provide an explanation for the documentary, and could take further action against the broadcaster if it fails to do so.
Public Opinion on the Issue
The issue has generated much debate in India, with people from both sides of the political spectrum weighing in on the issue. Supporters of the BJP have accused the BBC of bias and of ignoring the government’s efforts to bring the perpetrators of the 2002 Gujarat riots to justice. At the same time, many people have pointed out that the documentary also contains some valid points and that it should be seen as an opportunity to learn from the past and take steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Conclusion
The BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots has generated a lot of controversy in India, prompting the Indian government to take legal action against the broadcaster. Although the government has accused the BBC of bias and of ignoring the efforts taken by the government to bring the perpetrators of the 2002 Gujarat riots to justice, many people have argued that the documentary should be seen as an opportunity to learn from the past and take steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
