Govt blocks YouTube videos showing controversial BBC documentary on PM Modi

New Delhi: The Indian government has decided to take action against the controversial BBC documentary that attempts to show Prime Minister Narendra Modi in poor light. Multiple YouTube videos sharing the first episode of the controversial BBC documentary “India: The Modi Question” have been blocked as per the directions issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. News agency ANI quoted officials as saying on Saturday that along with YouTube videos showing the controversial BBC documentary, the Centre has also directed Twitter to block over 50 tweets containing links to the concerned YouTube videos. The ministry of external affairs had earlier branded the controversial BBC documentary a propaganda piece that reflects colonial mentality. Both YouTube and Twitter complied with the government after directions were reportedly issued by Secretary, Information and Broadcasting on Friday using the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021. UK’s National broadcaster British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired a controversial two-part series attacking PM Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. Soon after its release, the controversial BBC documentary on PM Modi sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms. On Thursday, India denounced the controversial BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described it as a “propaganda piece” that is designed to push a discredited narrative. “We think this is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias and the lack of objectivity and frankly continuing colonial mindset are blatantly visible,” said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi during a weekly media briefing. Even though the documentary was not made available in India by BBC in India, some YouTube channels appear to have uploaded it to promote an anti-India agenda. ANI quoted officials as saying that YouTube has also been instructed to block the video if it is again uploaded on its platform. They added Twitter has also been directed to identify and block the tweets containing the link to the video on other platforms. This decision was made after top government officials from across several ministries examined the documentary and found it to be an attempt to cast aspersions on the authority and credibility of the Supreme Court of India and sow divisions among various Indian communities. The sources added that the documentary was accordingly found to be undermining sovereignty and integrity of India, and having the potential to adversely impact India’s friendly relations with foreign states.