Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/MUMBAI: The Supreme Court of India has rejected an appeal seeking a ban on BBC in the country over its documentary about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reported local media.
The court rejected the appeal filed by Vishnu Gupta, the leader of the Hindu Sena, in his appeal, saying it was “misconceived” to ask for a ban on BBC’s operations in India.
The Supreme Court asked, “How can a documentary impact the country,” said Indian media.
Documentary examines Modi’s role in Gujarat Riots
The documentary “India: The Modi Question” analyzes the tensions between the country’s Muslim minority and Modi, “investigating claims about his role in the riots that left over a thousand dead in 2002.”
The I&B Ministry reportedly utilized emergency powers provided under the Information Technology Rules, 2021, to demand the removal of the links before the movie was launched, and both YouTube and Twitter complied.
After students in New Delhi had intended to watch the documentary, resisting efforts by Indian officials to block its showing, a leading university in India also prohibited its presentation.
The university instructed students to cancel the event in a memo, stating that failure to comply with the directive would result in “severe disciplinary action.” Some obstinate Indian students, though, vowed to arrange further screenings.
According to NDTV, the petitioner’s senior attorney Pinki Anand claimed that the BBC was “deliberately maligning India’s image” and demanded that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) look into the “scheme” behind the broadcast.
