SC notice to Modi govt over BBC documentary ban

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Narendra Modi government over petitions challenging the move to block the controversial BBC documentary titled India: The Modi Question. The court has sought original records pertaining to the government decision and will now hear the matter in April, Live Law reported.

Responding to the petitions, filed by litigant ML Sharma and journalist N Ram, advocate Prashant Bhushan, and TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Union law minister Kiren Rijiju had earlier said, “This is how they waste the precious time of Hon’ble Supreme Court where thousands of common citizens are waiting and seeking dates for justice.”

Responding to a questionnaire sent by Newslaundry, the BBC had said that its documentary “was rigorously researched according to highest editorial standards” and that it “offered the Indian government a right to reply to the matters raised in the series” but “it declined to respond”.

Asked why its documentary India: The Modi question was not released in India despite being based in the country, a BBC spokesperson had said, “It was commissioned as part of the BBC2 commissioning process so at this stage it is currently only scheduled for UK showings.”

Asked about remarks by the Ministry of External Affairs calling the film a “propaganda”, BBC said, “The documentary was rigorously researched according to highest editorial standards. A wide range of voices, witnesses and experts were approached, and we have featured a range of opinions – this includes responses from people in the BJP. We offered the Indian government a right to reply to the matters raised in the series – it declined to respond.”

Sources told Newslaundry that BBC has allegedly told its staff in India to be cautious, and to remove BBC stickers and ID from their vehicles and microphones. Asked about such steps, the spokesperson said, “We do not comment on security matters.”