Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Jan 19: The MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has criticised a documentary made on PM Narendra Modi by British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), calling it a ‘propaganda piece designed to push a discredited narrative’.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Arindam Bagchi said, “We think that this is a propaganda piece, designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias, lack of objectivity & continuing colonial mindset is blatantly visible.”
The MEA spokesperson said the documentary has not been screened in India.
“If anything, this film or documentary is a reflection on the agency & individuals that are peddling this narrative again. It makes us wonder about the purpose of this exercise and the agenda behind it. Frankly, we don’t wish to dignify such efforts,” Bagchi added.
If anything, this film or documentary is a reflection on the agency & individuals that are peddling this narrative again. It makes us wonder about the purpose of this exercise &the agenda behind it. Frankly, we don't wish to dignify such efforts: MEA on BBC documentary on PM Modi pic.twitter.com/FmwlNn1Y9M
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2023
The BBC’s two-part series called ‘India: The Modi Question’ has aggravated sharp reactions.
The BBC documentary ‘The Modi Question’ questions PM Narendra Modi’s leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, when he was the chief minister of the state.PM Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat when the deadly communal riots broke out following the burning of a train in Godhra in 2002.
“A look at tensions between Indian PM Narendra Modi and India’s Muslim minority, investigating claims about his role in the 2002 riots that left over a thousand dead,” says the series descriptor.
Notably, a Supreme Court-appointed investigation was made but no evidence of any wrongdoing by PM Modi was found. In June last year, the apex court backed the clearance to PM Modi and said the case was ‘devoid of merits’ and was filed ‘obviously, for ulterior design’.
Meanwhile, Lord Rami Ranger, a member of the UK House of Lords also accused the BBC of biased reporting.
“@BBCNews You have caused a great deal of hurt to over a billion Indians. It insults a democratically elected@PMOIndia Indian Police and the Indian judiciary. We condemn the riots and loss of life and also condemn your biased reporting,” he tweeted.
