Ashish Ranjan
On Thursday, Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju lashed out at individuals who had been critical of the BBC’s income tax survey operation, claiming that they “believe international news media but would not trust Indian authorities.”
Unsurprisingly, the same eco-system became indignant! These people will trust foreign news organisations but not Indian organisations. They will swear by the BBC but not the Indian Courts. If one unfavourable judgement is handed down, they’ll even attack the Supreme Court, Rijiju tweeted, referencing an article written by the former Prasar Bharati Chief Shashi Shekhar Vempati.
Expectedly, the same Eco-system got outraged! These people trust Foreign News Agencies but they won't trust Indian Agencies. They swear by BBC but they won't believe Indian Courts. They'll even abuse Supreme Court if one adverse Judgement is passed.https://t.co/SVUXwmqKRw
— Kiren Rijiju (मोदी का परिवार) (@KirenRijiju) February 16, 2023
Kiren Rijiju remarks coincide with various opposition leaders criticising the Centre for the I-T survey at the premises of the foreign broadcaster.
On the third day in a row on Thursday, the I-T department continued its “survey operation” at the BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai to look into the alleged tax avoidance. The study was conducted just a few weeks after the broadcaster aired the two-part documentary “India: The Modi Question” about the 2002 Gujarat riots, despite the Centre’s denial of its validity and restrictions on its streaming and social media sharing.
For more information, see “Not in a position to…”: US on I-T surveys at BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai.
According to reports cited by Reuters, the authorities have looked through several BBC editorial and administrative staff members’ laptops and mobile devices.
The BBC, in the meantime, stated on Tuesday that it is “completely working” with the IT division. The BBC’s New Delhi and Mumbai offices are currently host to the Income Tax Authorities, and we are fully complying. As soon as possible, we expect to have this issue addressed,” they wrote on Twitter.
His comments come amid a political discussion sparked by the BBC’s recent broadcast of a two-part documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots and India. The authorities disabled access to the documentary on social media.
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India’s tax authorities conducted a survey operation at the BBC’s offices in Delhi and Mumbai over the past two days as part of a probe into potential tax cheating.
