India: The Modi Questions

 India: The Modi Questions

·         A two-part documentary series aired by BBC Two in 2023 about the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his relationship with the Muslim minority in the country.

·         The first part covers Modi’s early political career and his role in the 2002 Gujarat riots, which occurred when he was the chief minister of Gujarat and left over a thousand people dead, mostly Muslims.

·         The second part examines the activities of Modi’s administration following his re-election in 2019, such as the revocation of Kashmir’s autonomy, a new citizenship law, and the violent response to protests against these policies.

·         The documentary series was banned by the Government of India, which described it as “hostile propaganda and anti-India garbage”. The BBC defended the documentary as being researched “rigorously” and depicting a “wide range of voices”.

·         The ban was criticized by opposition politicians, commentators, and human rights groups as censorship and an assault on freedom of the press.

The documents found by the BBC are:

·    A previously unpublished report from the British Foreign Office held Modi “directly responsible” for the “climate of impunity” that enabled the violence and said it had “all the hallmarks of an ethnic cleansing”.

·         A confidential letter from a British diplomat in India that described Modi as a “hardline Hindu nationalist” who was “reluctant to condemn” the violence and “allowed” it to continue.

·             A cable from the US embassy in India said Modi had “admitted” that he had allowed Hindus to “vent their anger” after the train attack in Godhra.

These documents contradict Modi’s claim that he had done everything in his power to stop the violence and protect the Muslims. They also raise questions about his accountability and credibility as a leader.

The BBC obtained these documents by:

·         Accessing a previously unseen and confidential UK government report produced after the riots that found Modi responsible for the violence and described the riots as having the “hallmarks of ethnic cleansing”.

·         Obtaining a confidential letter from a British diplomat in India that described Modi as a “hardline Hindu nationalist” who was “reluctant to condemn” the violence and “allowed” it to continue.

·         Getting a cable from the US embassy in India that said Modi had “admitted” that he had allowed Hindus to “vent their anger” after the train attack in Godhra.

The BBC did not reveal how it got access to these documents, but it said they were researched “rigorously” and verified by multiple sources. The BBC also said it had approached Modi and his government for comment, but they did not respond.

The reaction of Modi and his supporters to the documentary was:

·         Modi and his government did not respond to the BBC’s requests for comment, but they banned the documentary from being aired or shared on any platform in India, invoking an emergency law that allows them to block any content that is deemed to be against India’s sovereignty, integrity, security or public order.

·         Modi’s supporters on social media and some BJP politicians denounced the documentary as a “propaganda piece” that was biased, inaccurate, and motivated by a “colonial” and “white” mindset. They accused the BBC of trying to tarnish Modi’s image and interfere in India’s internal affairs.

·         Modi’s critics and some opposition parties defended the documentary as a legitimate and well-researched piece of journalism that exposed Modi’s role in the riots and his government’s authoritarian tendencies. They condemned the ban as censorship and an assault on freedom of expression and democracy. They also organized screenings of the documentary across India, despite the risk of police action and violence.

What are the implications of these documents for India's democracy?

Some of the implications of these documents for India’s democracy are:

·         These documents challenge the legitimacy and credibility of Modi as a democratic leader who respects human rights and the rule of law. They also raise questions about the independence and impartiality of the Indian judiciary and the Special Investigation Team that cleared him of any wrongdoing in the riots.

·         These documents expose the vulnerability and fragility of India’s democracy under Modi’s government, which has been accused of eroding democratic institutions and norms, suppressing dissent, and pursuing a Hindu nationalist agenda that marginalizes minorities and civil society.

·         These documents highlight the need for greater accountability and transparency in India’s democracy, as well as more robust checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power and the violation of rights. They also call for more international scrutiny and pressure on India to uphold its democratic commitments and obligations.

How did the international community respond to the documentary?

 Some of the responses of the international community to the documentary were:

·         The BBC defended the documentary as a “rigorous and balanced” piece of journalism that was based on “extensive research and multiple sources”. It said it had approached Modi and his government for comment, but they did not respond. It also said it regretted India’s decision to block the documentary and hoped it would be lifted soon.

·         The U.K. government said it was aware of India’s ban on the documentary and that it supported freedom of expression and media freedom as “essential to any democracy”. It also said it had a “strong and close relationship” with India and that it respected its sovereignty and right to determine its own affairs.

·         The U.S. government said it had not seen the documentary and that it did not comment on the internal affairs of other countries. It also said it valued its partnership with India and that it supported human rights and democracy around the world.

·         Human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch condemned India’s ban on the documentary and called for its immediate lifting. They also urged India to ensure accountability and justice for the victims of the 2002 riots and to protect the rights of minorities and civil society in the country.

      How can I watch the documentary?

The documentary is available on BBC Two or BBC iPlayer for viewers in the U.K. For viewers outside the U.K., you may need to use a VPN service to access these platforms. Alternatively, you may be able to find clips or copies of the documentary on other websites or social media platforms, but be aware that they may be blocked or removed by the Indian authorities or the BBC itself.