The search of BBC offices in India by Indian tax officials has come to an end after three days. The raid began after a critical documentary on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi by BBC that was already banned by the Indian government in India. The Indian officials entered the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai on February 14. BBC staff faced lengthy and typical questions and authorities forced the staff to stay at the office overnight.
We will continue to cooperate with the authorities and hope matters are resolved as soon as possible. We will continue to report without fear or favor.”
BBC
This unexpected raid comes weeks after BBC aired a documentary “India: The Modi Question” concerning Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s role during sectarian riots that took place in 2002.
We are supporting staff – some of whom have faced lengthy questioning or been required to stay overnight – and their welfare is our priority. Our output is back to normal and we remain committed to serving our audiences in India and beyond. The BBC is a trusted, independent media organization and we stand by our colleagues and journalists who will continue to report without fear or favor.”
BBC added
The BBC documentary was broadcast only in the UK. While the Indian government already banned it in India and attempted to block people from sharing it on social media. Indian government described the documentary as “hostile propaganda and anti-India garbage” with a “colonial mindset”.
The BBC documentary focuses on the role of that time Chief Minister of the state Modi in anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat in 2002. While BBC offered last month to the Indian government the right to reply but they declined.
They were a continuation of a trend of using government agencies to intimidate and harass press organizations that are critical of government policies or the ruling establishment.”
The Editors Guild of India-a non-profit group that promotes press freedom
While Amnesty International India’s Board accused authorities of “trying to harass the BBC over its coverage of the ruling BJP.” But the party replied the searches were lawful and the government had nothing to do.
Gaurav Bhatia, a spokesman from Mr. Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), described BBC as the “most corrupt organization in the World”.
India is a country which allows every organization as long as you don’t spew venom.”
Gaurav Bhatia.
