Minister Harsh Sanghavi stated, “The documentary was not only against PM Modi, but also against 135 crore citizens of the country.”

“Prime Minister Modi devoted his entire life to the service of the nation, weaponized the instrument of development, and gave anti-national elements a fitting response. He worked tirelessly to elevate India to the international stage, he said.

In January of this year, the BBC released India: The Modi Question, a documentary film about the Gujarat riots of 2002. The film sparked controversy by referencing Modi’s leadership as chief minister during the riots while ignoring the Supreme Court’s clean bill of health.

It was referred to as a “propaganda piece” by the Ministry of External Affairs because it reflected a “colonial mindset.”

During a visit to India, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly revealed that the issue of searches at BBC offices in India was discussed with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a bilateral meeting.

Cleverly stated in an exclusive interview with the media that the BBC is an independent organisation distinct from the UK government.

“I did not watch the documentary, but I have seen reactions from the United Kingdom and India. BBC is a separate and independent organisation from the government. When asked about the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Cleverly stated, “I have a strong personal relationship with Dr. Jaishankar…the relationship between the United Kingdom and India is growing stronger by the day.”

In February of this year, Income Tax authorities conducted searches at the British broadcaster’s offices in New Delhi and Mumbai.

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In January, the federal government issued instructions to block YouTube videos and Twitter posts containing links to the controversial BBC documentary “India: The Modi Question.”

The post Gujarat Assembly passes resolution against BBC documentary appeared first on Republic Aeon.

On March 10, Patel, an MLA from the Sojitra Assembly constituency in the Anand district, is expected to introduce a “private member’s resolution” in the House’s second session.
“Yes, I will discuss it on the House floor in a couple of days. I am not against anyone. However, I stand by my beliefs. I cannot comment further at this time,” Patel told.

The resolution that is expected to be introduced on March 10 (according to the Gujarat Assembly’s published agenda for the day) states that the Gujarat Assembly “should request the Indian government to take strict action against the fabricated BBC documentary.” It states that “BBC appears to have a hidden agenda against the Indian government and the country.”

The resolution begins by stating that the BBC documentary on the burning of the Godhra train in 2002 and the subsequent communal riots is an attempt to “blame” the state government.

It asserts that the government of Gujarat appointed the Nanavati-Shah Commission (consisting of Justices GT Nanavati and KG Shah), which “made history” by bringing the conduct of the then-chief minister and his ministers under the Commission’s purview. After a thorough investigation, the Commission concluded that the burning of the Sabarmati Express at Godhra on February 27, 2002 was a “pre-planned conspiracy” and that the subsequent communal riots were “spontaneous.”

According to the resolution, the Commission’s report presented to the Gujarat Assembly stated that there was no evidence that the state government or any religious or political organisation was involved in the communal riots. It adds that even the Supreme Court categorically denied the state government’s involvement or inaction (in the riots).

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The recently released BBC documentary is an attempt to tarnish the reputation and popularity of India’s former chief minister and current prime minister. The documentary comes twenty years after the incident and is nothing more than a “agenda” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose prestige and leadership are admired internationally, according to the resolution, which also notes that previous court attempts to hold the chief minister and government officials accountable have failed. It also states that Indian media outlets cannot abuse the country’s “freedom.”

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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.

The post ‘Some Trust Foreign News Outlets, But Not…’: Kiren Rijiju On BBC Tax Survey appeared first on Republic Aeon.

According to sources, the probe relates on BBC subsidiary firms’ international taxation issues. The study was conducted just weeks after the contentious two-part BBC documentary series ‘India: The Modi Question’ aired.

Here are the developments that have happened

1.The director general of the Income Tax Department in Mumbai launched the search at three locations, according to a PTI report. The I-T personnel arrived at the BBC’s headquarters in Delhi and Mumbai at approximately 11 a.m. A police official informed PTI that I.T. department officials seized all the electronic equipment on the premises and inspected the employees’ cell phones.

The address of the office in Delhi is Kasturba Gandhi Marg. There are two BBC offices in Mumbai, one in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and the other in Khar.

2.The I-T department conducted a survey operation to hunt for papers connected to the company’s business operations and its Indian subsidiary. The department would like to investigate the BBC’s international taxation and transfer pricing practises.

The Income Tax Authorities are currently at the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai and we are fully cooperating.

We hope to have this situation resolved as soon as possible.

— BBC News Press Team (@BBCNewsPR) February 14, 2023

3.As word of the survey operation spread, the BBC’s press crew said that I-T authorities are still present in the Delhi and Mumbai offices and that personnel are working fully with the search. The BBC expressed its desire to settle the matter as soon as possible in a tweet.

4.After airing a two-part documentary series entitled ‘India: The Modi Question,’ the I.T. department at the BBC conducted a survey many weeks later. The first section focused on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged role in the Gujarat riots of 2002, while the second section investigated his governance since his 2019 re-election.

The Centre restricted YouTube videos and Twitter posts containing links to the documentary after the first segment aired.

The Supreme Court of India rejected a petition seeking a total ban on the BBC in India last week, deeming the motion “absolutely misconceived.”

5.Several leaders of the opposition have criticised the government over the IT search at BBC offices. The general secretary of the Congress, Jairam Ramesh, criticised the administration with the phrase “Vinash Kale, Vipreet Buddhi” (When doom comes, a person’s intellect works against his own interests).

यहां हम अडानी के मामले में JPC की मांग कर रहे हैं और वहां सरकार BBC के पीछे पड़ी हुई है।

'विनाशकाले विपरीत बुद्धि'

: @Jairam_Ramesh जी pic.twitter.com/PvQ57tMTVP

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 14, 2023

6.In response to Congress’s criticism, the national spokesperson for the BJP, Gaurav Bhatia, stated that the Income Tax department should be allowed to perform its job. In addition, he accused the BBC of “venomous” reportage against India and claimed that the BBC’s propaganda and the goals of the Congress are identical.

According to him, the BBC is the “most corrupt” organisation in the world, and the Congress should recall that former prime minister Indira Gandhi banned the broadcaster as well.

7.In the meantime, the Editors Guild of India stated that it was “very worried” about the BBC searches and that they were part of a “pattern” of using government agencies to “harass and intimidate” media outlets that are critical of the government.

The Press Club of India (PCI) also condemned the raids and urged the government to prevent its agencies from “abusing their authority to intimidate the media.” In a statement, the PCI stated, “The current raids are part of a string of attacks on the media by government agents in recent years, particularly targeting government-perceived unfriendly segments of the media.”

The post Income Tax ‘survey’ at BBC offices continues: BJP and Opposition reactions | 7 Points appeared first on Republic Aeon.

The BBC’s office in Delhi was raided by approximately twenty tax officers. A search was conducted at the BBC Studios in Mumbai, which are responsible for production.

According to the sources, documents were removed from journalists along with their phones, laptops, and other electronic devices. During the course of the survey, the offices will be kept under lock and key, and employees have been instructed not to disclose any information to any third parties.

पहले BBC की डॉक्यूमेंट्री आई, उसे बैन किया गया।

अब BBC पर IT का छापा पड़ गया है।

अघोषित आपातकाल

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 14, 2023

Officials from the Internal Revenue Service have stated that this was merely a survey and not a search, and that the phones will be returned.

“We felt the need to get some clarifications, and in order to accomplish so, our team is currently in the BBC office conducting a poll. Our officers have been checking account books, which is not the same thing as conducting searches “income tax survey sources that are being claimed.

According to some sources, the income tax survey  authorities contacted the BBC’s finance department and asked for specifics regarding the company’s balance sheet and accounting.
The two-part documentary titled “India: The Modi Question” produced by the BBC recently made headlines due to the fact that it was removed from all public platforms one month ago. On January 21, the Centre requested the blocking of various YouTube videos and Twitter posts that shared links to the contentious documentary, utilising emergency powers granted to it by the Information Technology Rules, 2021.

Public screenings of the documentary were planned by opposition leaders and students who accused the government of engaging in overt censorship. During these screenings, students clashed with college authorities and the police at many colleges.

In response to a documentary that was critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the opposition Congress party accused the administration of attacking BBC.

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“While over there the government is harassing BBC, we are trying to have a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into the controversy with Adani and Hindenburg. The proverb “when one is destined, one makes poor decisions” (Vinash Kaale Viprit Buddhi) says that “the leader of the Congress, Jairam Ramesh, stated.
In a tweet, Mahua Moitra, an MP for the Trinamool Congress, poked fun at the party: “There have been reports of an Income Tax raid at the BBC’s office in Delhi. Wow, are you serious? What a surprise it was.”

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The Center was given three weeks to file a response, and the subject was set for hearing in April by a panel of justices that included Sanjiv Khanna and MM Sundresh. Two petitions were before the court, one filed jointly by MP Mahua Moitra, journalist N Ram, and attorneys Prashant Bhushan and ML Sharma, and the other by attorney ML Sharma.

The Centre issued instructions for removing numerous YouTube videos and Twitter posts that had links to the divisive documentary on January 21.

Since the proceedings before it will only involve legal arguments, the court declined to become involved in the controversy surrounding students being punished for showing the video.

“We’re sending out notices. In three weeks, a counter affidavit must be submitted. Within two weeks following that, reapply, “said the bench.The case is scheduled for the April hearing.Additionally, “any orders directly or indirectly suppressing” the information, including those posted on social media, have been called into question in the petition.

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According to the argument, the BBC documentary contains “recorded facts” that are also “evidence” and can be used to support the victims’ demand for justice.

The government had ordered removal and blocking of all social media links to the controversial documentary, “India: The Modi Question” produced by BBC with references to the actions of Modi as Gujarat chief minister during the 2002 riots.

The MEA termed the BBC documentary a “propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative,” while referring the the Supreme Court clearing PM Modi of all charges vis-a-vis the 2022 Gujarat riots.

However opposition parties have been critical of the Centre’s decision, calling it an interference in the right of freedom of speech and expression.

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