The Maharashtra assembly condemned the British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) on Saturday for its documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots, saying it had tried to discredit the country’s judiciary and incite religious divisions.
A resolution on this was proposed by BJP member Atul Bhatkhalkar and was put to vote by Speaker Rahul Narvekar. The resolution condemned the BBC for the documentary, stating it had tried to create a religious divide and malign India’s judiciary.
The House passed the resolution by a voice vote. The Opposition was not present in the House when the resolution was taken up.
Opposition members had staged a walkout alleging delay in the Speaker’s decision on taking action against those who had slapped a poster of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with footwear on the legislature premises.
Also, the Gujarat Assembly passed a resolution urging the Centre to take strict action against the BBC for harming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reputation with its documentary on the 2002 Godhra riots. “The documentary was not just against PM Modi but against 135 crore citizens of the country,” said minister Harsh Sanghavi.
“PM Modi dedicated his entire life to the service of the nation, weaponised the instrument of development and gave a befitting reply to anti-national elements. He worked hard to put India on the global stage.”
India: the Modi Question, a documentary about the 2002 Gujarat riots, was released by the BBC in January of this year. The documentary generated controversy because it disregarded the Supreme Court’s clear ruling and made references to Modi’s management of the riots while he served as chief minister.
Earlier, the Assam Assembly passed a resolution against the BBC for its documentary on Gujarat riots, demanding the “strictest possible action” against the BBC’s “malicious, dangerous agenda to instigate religious communities and flare religious tension and malign India’s global standing.” The resolution was moved by BJP legislator from Jonai, Bhubon Pegu, during the ongoing Budget Session.
