Plea for BBC ban: Supreme Court asks petitioner to mention case tomorrow

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to pass any direction to allow urgent hearing in a public interest litigation (PIL) petition filed by Hindu Sena seeking a total ban on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for airing the documentary, India: The Modi Question, on the 2002 Gujarat riots..Instead, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud told the advocate appearing for the petitioner to mention the matter tomorrow. The CJI-led Bench hears urgent mentioning only when the matter is listed in the mentioning list..The BBC documentary examines the 2002 riots and the role played by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was then the Chief Minister of Gujarat.It has been blocked on social media and online platforms by the Central government. Nonetheless, it has been screened in a number of colleges and universities around the country..The petition filed by Vishnu Gupta, President of the right-wing outfit Hindu Sena, and one Beerendra Kumar Singh, a farmer, has demanded a total ban on the BBC and the documentary, as well as a probe into BBC's alleged anti-India reportage.."India’s overall growth has picked up momentum since 2014 under the Prime Ministership of PM Narendra Modi, is not being digested by anti-India lobby, media particularly BBC. Therefore, the BBC has been biased against India and Indian Government," the petition said..It was contended that the Supreme Court itself had given quietus to the cases relating to Gujarat violence of 2002 as no evidence was found to show the attacks were either inspired or instigated by any minister of State of Gujarat."It is relevant to mention that even the Nanavati Commission Report on 2020 Gujarat Violence has given categorical finding about no evidence to connect any Minister of the Gujarat Government with the violence. Further submitted that in 2022, this Hon'ble Court has rejected an Appeal against the clean chit given by Special Investigation Team (SIT). This Hon'ble Court has been pleased to accept the SIT report and held that the plea was an attempt to keep the pot boiling," the plea said.Therefore, the documentary film implicating Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not only reflective of anti-Narendra Modi propaganda to tarnish his image but also anti Hinduism propaganda by the BBC to destroy the social fabric of India, it was contended..Read more about the petition here.