Last Update: January 30, 2023, 16:41 IST
On 21 January, the Center issued instructions to block several YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the controversial BBC documentary. (File photo/Twitter)
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also dismissed the BBC documentary as a “propaganda piece” that lacks objectivity and reflects a colonial mindset.
Hitting out at those challenging the Centre’s decision to block a BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots, Law Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday held the petitioners responsible for “wasting the precious time of the apex court”.
On Twitter, he replied to a news report and said, “This is how they waste the precious time of Hon’ble Supreme Court where thousands of common citizens are waiting and seeking date for justice.”
In this way they waste the precious time of Hon’ble Supreme Court where thousands of common citizens are waiting for dates for justice. https://t.co/5kouG8Px2K— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) January 30, 2023
Veteran journalist N Ram, activist lawyer Prashant Bhushan and others have moved the apex court challenging the Centre’s decision to block a documentary titled “India: The Modi Question” on social media.
A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud on Monday took note of the submissions of advocate ML Sharma and senior advocate CU Singh, appearing for N Ram and Bhushan, seeking urgent listing of their separate PILs on the issue. was done.
The PIL urged the apex court to summon and scrutinize the BBC documentary – both Part I and II – and sought action against those who were directly and indirectly responsible for the 2002 Gujarat riots. were.
Sharma said that in his PIL he has raised a constitutional question and it is for the apex court to decide whether citizens have a right under Article 19(1)(2) to see news, facts and reports on the 2002 Gujarat riots or No.
He has sought a direction to set aside the January 21 order of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, terming it as ‘illegal, malafide, arbitrary and unconstitutional’.
The plea claimed that the BBC documentary contained “recorded facts” which were also “evidence” and could be used to bring justice to the victims.
However, several opposition parties have condemned the government’s action and said they would oppose any censorship. Several student organisations, including the Congress and the Left, have since organized screenings of the documentary in several universities, leading to clashes at some places. The ABVP, the student wing of the RSS, has been opposing the screening of the film.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also dismissed the documentary as a “propaganda piece” that lacks objectivity and reflects a colonial mindset.
(With inputs from PTI)
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