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Tag: documentary

  • BBC documentary on PM is conspiracy against India: Goa Governor

    BBC documentary on PM is conspiracy against India: Goa Governor

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    Panaji: A BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots that has sparked controversy is a “conspiracy” against India, said Goa Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai on Thursday.

    The “character assassination of the prime minister” amounts to an onslaught, insult and a malicious act against the country, said the governor during his address after inspecting a Republic Day parade near Panaji.

    India’s Ministry of External Affairs has criticised the documentary titled “India: The Modi Question” as a “propaganda piece” that lacks objectivity and reflects a colonial mindset.

    Governor Pillai said that the present controversy was “ill-motivated”, adding in the same breath that he was “not criticising Britain which is one of the friendly countries of India now”.

    Unlike a common citizen who can approach the court in case of character assassination, the PM, President, Vice President and ministers have to be represented by public prosecutors in such cases, he said. “This means character assassination of the Prime Minister amounts to an onslaught, an insult, a malicious act against the country. That is why I would like to say BBC’s present act is not good,” he said.

    The governor said that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is not an independent organisation. “It is answerable to British Parliament. I am not blaming the British government but there’s some conspiracy against India,” he said.

    Pillai said that he does not want to go much into the present circumstances but after PM Modi “became the head of the G20 group”, he has given a call for “one world, one family, one future”.

    India has taken over the presidency – which rotates annually between members – of the Group of Twenty countries.

    Talking to reporters later, the governor said that under the system of law followed by “us and the conventions”, an attack or character assassination of the PM would amount to an attack on the sovereignty of the country.

    In this case, the governor, the “attack” on the PM is also a challenge to the Indian Judiciary. “Indian Judiciary is the finest in the world. They had monitored this case (Gujarat riots) and there is nothing to connect the PM to it, not even a whisper is against him,” he said.

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    #BBC #documentary #conspiracy #India #Goa #Governor

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Congress leader Antony falls silent after son’s tryst with BBC documentary

    Congress leader Antony falls silent after son’s tryst with BBC documentary

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    Thiruvananthapuram: One of Congress’s top-notch leader A K Antony has reportedly gone into a shell after his son Anil Antony quit his party post, alleging “intolerant calls to retract a tweet”, in which he had defied his party line and criticised a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, terming it a “dangerous precedent”.

    According to those in the know of things, 82-year-old Antony, who currently holds the record of being the longest-serving Defence Minister in the country, is deeply upset over a remark made by his junior colleague Jairam Ramesh.

    Without naming, Ramesh drew a comparison between former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy’s son — Chandy Oommen — and Antony’s son Anil Antony.

    “A tale of two sons of two CMs from the same state. One is a Bharat Yatri and walking tirelessly, mostly barefoot to unite our nation in the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The other is reveling in his day in the Sun today having ignored his duties to the party and the yatra,” the former Union minister Ramesh wrote on his Twitter handle.

    After his term ended in the Upper House in April last year, Antony returned to the state capital to his house here.

    Since then, other than his occasional visits to the office in the state party headquarters, he is rarely seen in public party functions. During a recent party meeting, he asked all in the party presently divided as always amongst various faction leaders to keep aside all differences and focus on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

    Antony, who is known for always keeping a low profile, is also known for his sensitive nature.

    A media critic on condition of anonymity said Antony is perhaps going through a very tough time because of the way his son reacted.

    “Knowing the Congress leaders’ mindset, it can be said that the attack is not against Anil, but against Antony. When in Delhi, Antony has always wielded the sword of discipline against erring state leaders by prevailing upon the party’s high command. And when it came to the distribution of party tickets, his was the last word. The ground rule in the state unit of the party in the past over two decades was never to rub Antony on the wrong way,” said the critic.

    Incidentally, yesterday when he came to attend a private function, Antony ducked the media’s questions on his son saying that he is in a private function.

    Now all eyes will be on the ongoing Assembly session as the treasury benches will lose no chance to hit the Congress-led opposition when they take Antony and his son’s statement to checkmate the opposition.

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    #Congress #leader #Antony #falls #silent #sons #tryst #BBC #documentary

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Students, political parties resist ban on BBC’s Modi documentary

    Students, political parties resist ban on BBC’s Modi documentary

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    BBC on Wednesday released the second episode of the two-part documentary – ‘India: The Modi Question‘ – which directly blames Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s role in the 2002 Gujarat riots when he helmed the state as its chief minister.

    The first part was released on January 19 and was shared by many on all social media platforms which encouraged debates around the 2002 Gujarat riots and the role of then chief minister Narendra Modi during the riots that killed more than millions and displaced many, especially Muslims.

    The one-hour documentary reveals ‘never-seen-before’ or ‘restricted’ documents in detail. It looks at the escalating tension between the Muslim community and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as Hindu right-wing organisations – Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

    The documentary holds Modi directly responsible for the riots and states that such large-scale mass murder or in other words, a pogrom, was not possible without steady help from the state.

    Modi government was quick to respond calling the documentary propaganda material ‘designed to push a particular discredited narrative.’

    The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “The documentary is a reflection on the agency that has made it. We think it is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias, lack of objectivity, and continuing colonial mindset are blatantly visible. Can’t dignify such a film.”

    As the documentary created interest and buzz on the internet, the Central Government banned its airing in the country as well as directed all social media platforms to remove any posts and links pertaining to the documentary, creating a protest call from netizens and Opposition parties.

    With the help of Rule 16 of the IT Rules, 2021 — formally known as the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 — notified on February 25, 2021, describes the government’s power with regard to “Blocking of information in case of emergency”.

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting used emergency powers stating the documentary is based on a ‘colonial mindset’.

    Following the ban, several student unions and political parties across India screened or tried to screen the documentary leading to tensions or conflict. Here are a few cities and states where the documentary was screened.

    Hyderabad

    In Hyderabad, the BBC documentary was screened at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) campus by a student group called the Fraternity Movement. Around 200 students turned up.

    However, members of the ABVP complained to the university registrar who then released a statement saying no prior permission was taken by the students to screen the film.

    Kerala

    The documentary was screened in various places, including colleges, in Kerala on Tuesday with the BJP youth wing going up in arms in protest against the screenings.

    In Thiruvananthapuram, the Youth Congress organised a screening at Manaveeyam Veedhi, a cultural space on Tuesday. The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) held one at Poojappura Maidan.

    Not just Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala’s financial capital Kochi saw many screenings. The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) conducted screenings for students of the Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kalady Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Maharaja’s College Ernakulam, and Government Law College.

    The Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary V Govindan came out in support of the screening saying, “Banning the documentary is an undemocratic stand. Ideals should not be banned in a democratic society.”

    Delhi

    In New Delhi, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) saw the screening turned into a protest on Tuesday when student unions ignored the administration’s statement to cancel the screening which was supposed to take place on the same night at 9 pm.

    The administration went ahead and snapped current and internet supply thus halting the screening. However, determined students started watching it on their laptops and phones. Protests between the college authorities and students broke out and incidents of stone pelting were also reported.

    On Wednesday, a day after the ruckus in JNU, students at Delhi’s Jamia Milia Islamia university announced it would screen the banned BBC documentary at 6 pm.

    While there are reports that several SFI students have been detained, the university has categorically said that no permission was given for the screening.

    “The University reiterates that no meeting of students or screening of any film will be allowed in the campus without permission. University is taking all measures to prevent people/orgs having vested interest to destroy peaceful academic atmosphere here”, the university said in a circular.

    By the time of publishing this report, Delhi Police has detained over 70 students who were gathered at Jamia Millia Islamia to protest against the detention of four activists over the proposed screening of a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Students’ Federation of India said.

    Member of Parliament A A Rahim from CPM party has strongly condemned the detention which includes female students also. In a tweet, he described the ban as a cowardly act by the Modi government. He demanded the immediate release of the students.

    Kolkata

    SFI of Presidency University in Kolkata has asked for permission from the university’s administration to show the banned BBC documentary on January 27 at 4 pm.

    The student union sent an email to the university administration seeking permission to book the badminton court on the campus where the screening will take place. The university is yet to respond.



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    #Students #political #parties #resist #ban #BBCs #Modi #documentary

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Anil Antony’s views on BBC documentary ‘immature,’ says Tharoor

    Anil Antony’s views on BBC documentary ‘immature,’ says Tharoor

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    Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday rejected the views of Anil Antony, son of party colleague and former defence minister A K Antony, on a controversial BBC documentary on Gujarat riots and termed as “immature” his argument that it was an infringement into India’s sovereignty.

    Anil had tweeted on Tuesday that placing the views of the British broadcaster over Indian institutions would undermine the sovereignty of the nation. He has since resigned from all posts he was holding in the Congress party, citing “intolerant calls” and “abuses” over the matter.

    Tharoor, Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram said people of the country have the freedom to watch or not watch the BBC documentary on the 2002 riots and asked who can say the British broadcaster has no right to do a story on the topic.

    The Constitution of the country guarantees all rights for us to watch a documentary, he added.

    When asked about Anil’s argument that placing the views of the BBC over Indian institutions would set a “dangerous precedence” and “undermine” our sovereignty, Tharoor said he cannot agree with it.

    “I feel that this is an immature stand,” he said.

    “Because, the sovereignty of our country cannot be affected so easily… will it be affected if a foreign documentary is screened?….whether our national security and sovereignty are so fragile to be affected by a documentary?” he said.

    The leader, however, said Anil, who had handled the digital communications of the grand old party for sometime, was a “good person” and he had not discussed the BBC documentary issue with him.

    Anil, who is said to be close to Tharoor, specially thanked him for his support in the resignation letter which he sent to the party leadership on Wednesday quitting his roles in the Congress — as the Convener of KPCC Digital Media, and as the National Co-coordinator of AICC Social Media and Digital Communications Cell.”

    Anil had on Tuesday tweeted that despite large differences with the BJP, those who support and place the views of the British broadcaster and of former UK foreign secretary Jack Straw, the “brain behind the Iraq war” (involving the US-led coalition in 2003) over Indian institutions are setting a dangerous precedent.

    The two-part BBC documentary, which claims it investigated certain aspects relating to the 2002 Gujarat riots when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief minister of that state, has been trashed by the Ministry of External Affairs as a “propaganda piece” that lacked objectivity and reflected a “colonial mindset”.

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    #Anil #Antonys #views #BBC #documentary #immature #Tharoor

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • Kolkata: SFI seeks permission to air BBC documentary on Modi at Presidency university

    Kolkata: SFI seeks permission to air BBC documentary on Modi at Presidency university

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    The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) of Presidency University in Kolkata has asked for permission from the university’s administration to show the controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Gujarat riots in 2002 on January 27 at 4 pm.

    This comes as several students gathered at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students’ union office in New Delhi on Tuesday for a screening of the documentary ‘India: The Modi Question’ claimed the varsity administration cut power and internet to stop the event, prompting them to stage a protest after stones were thrown at them.

    The Fraternity Movement, a students’ group at the University of Hyderabad also held a special screening of the first episode of the documentary on Saturday.

    The SFI at Presidency University said it has sent an email to university officials to reserve the badminton court on campus, where the documentary will be shown on a large screen. The university administration has yet to respond to the request.

    What is the BBC documentary on Modi?

    The new two-part documentary series of the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) ‘India: The Modi Question‘ focuses on the 2002 Gujarat riots that killed thousands and left millions homeless, especially in the Muslim community, and the role played by the then chief minister Narendra Modi’s government.

    The documentary which is aired only in the United Kingdom looks at the escalating tension between the Muslim community and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as Hindu right-wing organisations – Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

    The first part of the two-part series, reportedly reveals ‘never-seen-before’ or ‘restricted’ documents in detail. These reports were never published to the public.

    The summary of the report mentions statements such as “extend of violence much greater than reported”, “widespread and systematic rape of Muslim women”, “violence politically motivated”, “aim was to purge Muslims from Hindu areas”, “their systematic of violence has all the hallmarks of ethnic cleansing”.

    Speaking to the BBC, former foreign secretary, Jack Straw (2001-2006) said he was personally involved in the investigations as the data and results provided were alarming.

    “I was very worried about it. I took a great deal of personal interest because India is an important country with whom we (the UK) have relations. And so, we had to handle it very carefully,” Straw told the BBC, adding, “What we did was establish an inquiry and have a team go to Gujarat and find out for themselves what had happened. And they produced a very thorough report.

    What was India’s response?

    The BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi was criticised harshly by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday.

    It was described as a ‘propaganda piece’ with bias intended to advance a specific ‘discredited’ narrative.

    “The documentary is a reflection on the agency that has made it. We think it is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias, lack of objectivity, and continuing colonial mindset are blatantly visible. Can’t dignify such a film,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

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    #Kolkata #SFI #seeks #permission #air #BBC #documentary #Modi #Presidency #university

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • BBC documentary screening: JNU students allege stone pelting; police deny claims

    BBC documentary screening: JNU students allege stone pelting; police deny claims

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    New Delhi: A high drama prevailed at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on Monday late evening after the students alleged that they were attacked with stones while watching a controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    However, Deputy Commissioner of Police (southwest), Manoj C. denied reports of stone pelting.

    When asked about the incident, the DCP said “I repeat again no such incident has been reported to us so far.”

    “If we receive a complaint from any section of JNU, necessary legal action as deemed appropriate will be taken,” said the DCP.

    Meanwhile, internet service and electricity connection at the office of the JNU Students’ Union (JNUSU) were snapped on Tuesday after some students wanted to screen the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    The JNU administration had earlier asked the students to cancel the screening of the documentary — ‘India: The Modi Question’.

    The varsity administration, in a stern warning, told the students that disciplinary action may be initiated as per the university rules if anyone screens the documentary.

    A section of students under the banner of JNUSU had distributed pamphlets for the screening of the documentary at 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

    The JNU administration was of the view that “such unauthorised activities on the campus may disturb peace and harmony” at the university. However, even after the warning, when the students remained adamant, the university administration decided to disconnect electricity and internet.

    The varsity had earlier stated that no prior permission was sought from the JNU administration for the screening of the documentary.

    Meanwhile, ABVP’s JNU unit president Rohit Kumar said the students’ body “welcomes the instructions to stop the screening of the documentary”.

    “The BBC has been working to tarnish the image of India by making documentaries with a fake agenda,” he said.

    The Central government had earlier termed the BBC documentary propaganda against the Prime Minister and the country.

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    #BBC #documentary #screening #JNU #students #allege #stone #pelting #police #deny #claims

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • JNU stops BBC documentary screening by cutting internet, electricity

    JNU stops BBC documentary screening by cutting internet, electricity

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    Even after the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) management issued a statement advising students to refrain from screening the banned BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a few of them decided to ignore the university. However, their plans were ruined when both the internet and electricity went out in the students’ union office.

    The screening that was to begin at 9 pm on Tuesday could not start.

    In a statement released the previous day, the JNU administration said that no prior permission was taken from the administration.

    “The concerned students/individuals are firmly advice to cancel the proposed programme immediately failing which strict disciplinary action may be initiated as per the university rules,” the JNU administration statement said.

    “This is to emphasise that such an unauthorised activity may disturb peace and harmony of the university campus,” the university said.

    What is the BBC documentary on Modi?

    The new two-part documentary series of the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) ‘India: The Modi Question‘ focuses on the 2002 Gujarat riots that killed thousands and left millions homeless, especially in the Muslim community, and the role played by the then chief minister Narendra Modi’s government.

    The two-part documentary which is aired only in the United Kingdom looks at the escalating tension between the Muslim community and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as Hindu right-wing organisations – Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

    The first part of the two-part series, reportedly reveals ‘never-seen-before’ or ‘restricted’ documents in detail. These reports were never published to the public.

    It states that “Modi is directly responsible” for the riots that killed millions of people and displaced many, mostly Muslims. It also said the “violence was politically motivated” and the aim “was to purge Muslims from Hindu areas”. The riots were impossible “without the climate of impunity created by the state government.”

    Speaking to the BBC, former foreign secretary, Jack Straw (2001-2006) said he was personally involved in the investigations as the data and results provided were alarming.

    “I was very worried about it. I took a great deal of personal interest because India is an important country with whom we (the UK) have relations. And so, we had to handle it very carefully,” Straw told the BBC, adding, “What we did was establish an inquiry and have a team go to Gujarat and find out for themselves what had happened. And they produced a very thorough report.

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    #JNU #stops #BBC #documentary #screening #cutting #internet #electricity

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • As JNU stops power, internet; students watch BBC documentary on phones, laptops

    As JNU stops power, internet; students watch BBC documentary on phones, laptops

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    Protests broke out when students from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) were disallowed to watch the screening of the banned BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as university management cut out electricity and internet.

    However, this did not deter the students as they decided to watch the documentary on their phones and laptops, reports said.

    In a statement released the previous day, the JNU administration said that no prior permission was taken from the administration.

    “The concerned students/individuals are firmly advice to cancel the proposed programme immediately failing which strict disciplinary action may be initiated as per the university rules,” the JNU administration statement said.

    “This is to emphasise that such an unauthorised activity may disturb peace and harmony of the university campus,” the university said.

    What is the BBC documentary on Modi?

    The new two-part documentary series of the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) ‘India: The Modi Question‘ focuses on the 2002 Gujarat riots that killed thousands and left millions homeless, especially in the Muslim community, and the role played by the then chief minister Narendra Modi’s government.

    The two-part documentary which is aired only in the United Kingdom looks at the escalating tension between the Muslim community and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as Hindu right-wing organisations – Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

    The first part of the two-part series, reportedly reveals ‘never-seen-before’ or ‘restricted’ documents in detail. These reports were never published to the public.

    It states that “Modi is directly responsible” for the riots that killed millions of people and displaced many, mostly Muslims. It also said the “violence was politically motivated” and the aim “was to purge Muslims from Hindu areas”. The riots were impossible “without the climate of impunity created by the state government.”

    Speaking to the BBC, former foreign secretary, Jack Straw (2001-2006) said he was personally involved in the investigations as the data and results provided were alarming.

    “I was very worried about it. I took a great deal of personal interest because India is an important country with whom we (the UK) have relations. And so, we had to handle it very carefully,” Straw told the BBC, adding, “What we did was establish an inquiry and have a team go to Gujarat and find out for themselves what had happened. And they produced a very thorough report.

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    #JNU #stops #power #internet #students #watch #BBC #documentary #phones #laptops

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • No permission given to screen BBC documentary on PM: UoH admin

    No permission given to screen BBC documentary on PM: UoH admin

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    Soon after reports emerged regarding a section of students at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) screening the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi (questioning his role as a perpetrator when he was chief minister during the 2002 Gujarat riots) on its campus, the University of Hyderabad (UoH) claimed that no prior notice or permission was granted.

    In a press release on Tuesday, UoH said that the screening was conducted on January 21 by a student group called the Fraternity Movement at the shopping complex on the North Campus without any prior notice or permission.

    “On receiving the information, the Dean along with the Student Welfare and security team rushed to the venue and requested the organizers to stop the screening. However, the organizers did not accede to this request and continued the screening in presence of a few students,” the UoH release said.

    The release said that the act was in violation of the existing norms. “Though the event passed off peacefully, the University has asked for the report on the event for taking further necessary action,” the release said, concluding the atmosphere on the campus is calm and peaceful.

    What is the BBC documentary on Modi?

    The new two-part documentary series of the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) ‘India: The Modi Question‘ focuses on the 2002 Gujarat riots that killed thousands and left millions homeless, especially in the Muslim community, and the role played by the then chief minister Narendra Modi’s government.

    The documentary which is aired only in the United Kingdom looks at the escalating tension between the Muslim community and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as Hindu right-wing organisations – Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

    The first part of the two-part series, reportedly reveals ‘never-seen-before’ or ‘restricted’ documents in detail. These reports were never published to the public.

    It states that “Modi is directly responsible” for the riots that killed millions of people and displaced many, mostly Muslims. It also said the “violence was politically motivated” and the aim “was to purge Muslims from Hindu areas”. The riots were impossible “without the climate of impunity created by the state government.”

    Speaking to the BBC, former foreign secretary, Jack Straw (2001-2006) said he was personally involved in the investigations as the data and results provided were alarming.

    “I was very worried about it. I took a great deal of personal interest because India is an important country with whom we (the UK) have relations. And so, we had to handle it very carefully,” Straw told the BBC, adding, “What we did was establish an inquiry and have a team go to Gujarat and find out for themselves what had happened. And they produced a very thorough report.

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    #permission #screen #BBC #documentary #UoH #admin

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

  • JNU admin ‘advises’ students against screening of BBC documentary on Modi

    JNU admin ‘advises’ students against screening of BBC documentary on Modi

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    The Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNU) administration has ‘advised’ its student union to cancel the screening of the controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

    The documentary, ‘India: the Modi Question’, was scheduled to be screened on the JNU campus on January 24 at 9 pm.

    In a statement released the previous day, the JNU administration said that no prior permission was taken from the administration.

    “The concerned students/individuals are firmly advice to cancel the proposed programme immediately failing which strict disciplinary action may be initiated as per the university rules,” the JNU administration statement said.

    “This is to emphasise that such an unauthorised activity may disturb peace and harmony of the university campus,” the university said.

    Reacting to the circular, the president of the JNU students’ union, Aishe Ghosh shared an old tweet of the Prime Minister from 2019.

    “I think the JNU Administration missed the tweet by our PM tweeted some years back. Just reminding. We take his words quite seriously,” Aishe tweeted.

    The BBC documentary throws thorough investigations and unreleased documents of the ill-fated 2002 Gujarat riots when Narendra Modi was the chief minister of the state.

    A similar incident took place in Hyderabad when a special screening took place at the University of Hyderabad (UoH), on January 21.

    Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) – the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) – lodged a complaint with the University administration over its screening following which a probe was initiated.

    What is the BBC documentary on Modi?

    The new two-part documentary series of the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) ‘India: The Modi Question‘ focuses on the 2002 Gujarat riots that killed thousands and left millions homeless, especially in the Muslim community, and the role played by the then chief minister Narendra Modi’s government.

    The two-part documentary which is aired only in the United Kingdom looks at the escalating tension between the Muslim community and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as well as Hindu right-wing organisations – Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

    The first part of the two-part series, reportedly reveals ‘never-seen-before’ or ‘restricted’ documents in detail. These reports were never published to the public.

    It states that “Modi is directly responsible” for the riots that killed millions of people and displaced many, mostly Muslims. It also said the “violence was politically motivated” and the aim “was to purge Muslims from Hindu areas”. The riots were impossible “without the climate of impunity created by the state government.”

    Speaking to the BBC, former foreign secretary, Jack Straw (2001-2006) said he was personally involved in the investigations as the data and results provided were alarming.

    “I was very worried about it. I took a great deal of personal interest because India is an important country with whom we (the UK) have relations. And so, we had to handle it very carefully,” Straw told the BBC, adding, “What we did was establish an inquiry and have a team go to Gujarat and find out for themselves what had happened. And they produced a very thorough report.



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    #JNU #admin #advises #students #screening #BBC #documentary #Modi

    ( With inputs from www.siasat.com )