LONDON: A day after the Indian government condemned a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as lacking objectivity as a ‘propaganda piece’, the BBC on Friday defended its series as a ‘rigorously researched’ documentary. which sought to highlight important issues. In a recent session of the British Parliament, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak came out in defense of PM Modi after a BBC documentary claimed that the British government was aware of the Indian leader’s alleged role in the 2002 Gujarat riots . When creating the series, the taxpayer-funded license fee-supported British Broadcasting Corporation said it approached a wide variety of voices.
“A variety of voices, witnesses and experts were contacted, and we have offered a range of opinions, including responses from people in the BJP. Offered, he declined to respond,” the spokesperson said.
The first part of the documentary series ‘The Modi Question’ based on the 2002 Gujarat riots was released on Wednesday. The series, aired by the UK’s national broadcaster, drew outrage and condemnation from prominent Indian-origin UK citizens as well as the Indian government.
The BBC said it is committed to highlighting important issues around the world and the documentary series examines tensions between India’s Hindu majority and Muslim minority and the politics of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in relation to those tensions. Does
“It has been the source of considerable reporting and interest in recent years in India and around the world,” the spokesperson said.
When Pakistani-origin MP Imran Hussain raised the issue of the controversial documentary in the British Parliament, Prime Minister Sunak said, “The UK government’s position on this has been clear and long-standing and has not changed. Certainly, we do not.” ” Harassment, wherever it may be seen, cannot be tolerated, but I am not sure that I fully agree with the characterization of the honorable gentleman.”
The Government of India has condemned the BBC Panorama programme, which is not screened in India, as a propaganda material with a dubious agenda behind it.
“We think this is a propaganda material, designed to push a particular discrediting story,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told reporters during a press briefing in New Delhi on Thursday. Bias, objectivity The lack of and colonial mindset is clearly visible.” About the controversial series.
Meanwhile, several members of the Indian diaspora in the UK have sent complaints to the BBC over the portrayal of the Indian leader in the series.
“@BBCNews you have caused great harm to over a billion Indians. This is an insult to the democratically elected Prime Minister, the Indian Police and the Indian Judiciary. We condemn the riots and loss of life and also condemn your biased reporting Are,” Lord tweeted. Indian-origin peer Rami Ranger in the House of Lords.
(With PTI inputs)