'Ban BBC's Operations In India' : Hindu Sena President's Plea In Supreme Court After Documentary On Narendra Modi

The petition, filed through Advocate, Barun Kumar Sinha, also seeks directions to the NIA to initiate investigation against the ‘anti-India and anti-Indian Government reporting/documentary films/short films including its employee journalist in India’.

As per the plea, filed by President of Hindu Sena, Vishnu Gupta and one Beerendra Kumar Singh, the cause of action arose when BBC released and aired the controversial documentary film regarding the 2002 Godhra riots and is continuing till date. The petition alleges that BBC is running its own agenda.

It is claimed that the peace and national integrity prevailing in India is being hampered by the BBC. The petition submits -

“Indian’s overall growth has picked up momentum since 2014 under the Prime Ministership of Sh. Narendra Modi, is not being digested by anti India lobby, media particularly BBC. Therefore, the BBC has been biased against India and Indian Government"

Referring to various news articles published by BBC which relate to India, it is alleged that BBC has been indulging against anti India and anti Indian Government propaganda in post independent regime India.

It appears that the petitioners had submitted a representation to the MHA on 27.01.2023 requesting it to impose a ban on BBC. However, the Union Ministry has not taken action since.

With respect to the documentary, The Modi Question, the petition submits -

“...[it] is result of deep conspiracy against global rise of India and its Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi. The first part of documentary is bases on the Gujarat violence in 2002 which started after 59 Hindu Karsavaks were burnt alive at Godhra Railway Station while they were returning from Ayodhya. The Central government has justifiably blocked the documentary using its emergency powers under the Information Technology Rules, 2022.”

It also relies on the 2022 Supreme Court judgment endorsing the SIT probe which ruled out larger conspiracy by state functionaries in the Gujarat riots.

The concerned reliefs have been sought on the anvil of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which empowers the Central Government or any of its officer specially authorised by to prevent incitement to commission of any cognizable offence which will endanger national integrity and sovereignty, friendly relations with foreign states and public order. It argues ‘reasonable restrictions’ ought to be imposed on A. 19 rights of Broadcasting corporation, given the disharmony it attempted to create.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear two other petitions which have challenged the Centre's decision to block the online access to the documentary.