Govt blocks Twitter, YouTube links sharing BBC documentary critical of PM Modi
New Delhi/IBNS: The Centre has blocked Twitter and YouTube links sharing a BBC Documentary critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a day after External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the two-part docu-series was a 'propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative'.
As per sources, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued directions for blocking multiple YouTube videos which published the first episode of the BBC Documentary, India Today reported.
They said that orders were also issued to Twitter for blocking over 50 tweets pertaining to the link to the BBC series, the report further said, adding that the directions were given by the secretary of the I&B Ministry.
The BBC's documentary titled 'India: The Modi Question' consisted of PM Modi's (then Gujarat CM) was not broadcast on Indian television networks.
According to reports, in the series, a BBC reporter quizzed the state leadership about the 2002 Gujarat riots and the alleged ethnic mob violence that followed.
The violence erupted allegedly after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims in Godhra was set on fire.
The India Today report said citing sources that both YouTube and Twitter have implemented the directions.
Taking to Twitter, an advisor to the I&B Ministry, Kanchan Gupta, shared the update, stating, "BBC's vile propaganda was found to be undermining the sovereignty and integrity of India, and having the potential to adversely impact India's friendly relations with foreign countries as also public order within the country."
Accordingly, @BBCWorld ’s vile propaganda was found to be undermining the sovereignty and integrity of India, and having the potential to adversely impact India's friendly relations with foreign countries as also public order within the country.
— Kanchan Gupta 🇮🇳 (@KanchanGupta) January 21, 2023
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While the BBC had not released the docu-series in India, certain YouTube channels uploaded the content 'to promote the anti-India agenda,' he said in an update tweet.
While the hate-series have not been made available in India by @BBCWorld, some @YouTube channels uploaded it to promote anti-India agenda.
— Kanchan Gupta 🇮🇳 (@KanchanGupta) January 21, 2023
YT has been instructed to block the video if uploaded again. @Twitter has been directed to block tweets linking video on other platforms.
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"YT has been instructed to block the video if uploaded again," Gupta said.
The directions to block content from @BBCWorld vicious propaganda were issued by Secretary, I&B, on Friday using the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021.
— Kanchan Gupta 🇮🇳 (@KanchanGupta) January 21, 2023
Both @YouTube and @Twitter have complied with the directions.
Governments in India.
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On Thursday, EAM spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India strongly condemned a BBC series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots on Thursday, calling it a "propaganda piece designed to push a discredited narrative" that shouldn't be "dignified" with a response.
"Let me just make it very clear that we think this is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias, the lack of objectivity, and frankly a continuing colonial mindset, is blatantly visible," Bagchi said.
"If anything, this film or documentary is a reflection on the agency and individuals that are peddling this narrative again. It makes us wonder about the purpose of this exercise and the agenda behind it and frankly we do not wish to dignify such efforts," he stressed.
