India on Thursday termed a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “propaganda piece” and “lacking objectivity.” It also said the documentary has not been screened in India.
Putting forth New Delhi’s position on the documentary ‘India:The Modi Question,’ Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said here, “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. Frankly, we don’t wish to dignify such efforts.”
He also said, “Do note that this has not been screened in India...We think that this is a propaganda piece, designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias, lack of objectivity and continuing colonial mindset is blatantly visible.”
Incidentally, the two-part series or documentary was removed from YouTube on Wednesday. The documentary, which was released on Tuesday, takes a close look at the story of the Prime Minister and tracks his journey to power.
It makes an in-depth study of his political career, including his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, which was marred by the riots in 2002.
Lord Rami Ranger, a member of House of Lords of UK Parliament on Wednesday slammed BBC over new series attacking Modi.
Condemning the biased reporting of BBC, he tweeted, “@BBCNews You have caused a great deal of hurt to over a billion Indians. It insults a democratically elected@PMOIndia Indian Police & the Indian judiciary. We condemn the riots and loss of life & also condemn your biased reporting.”
The BBC released the docu-series, the first episode of which was aired on Tuesday and was removed from YouTube on Wednesday.
According to the BBC, the documentary will examine how “Narendra Modi’s premiership has been dogged by persistent allegations about the attitude of his government towards India’s Muslim population”.