BBC Documentary Issue: Delhi Court Issues Summons To BBC, Wikimedia & Internet Archive On Defamation Case

A Delhi Court on Wednesday issued summons to the BBC in connection with a defamation suit filed by BJP leader Binay Kumar Singh in relation to its documentary titled “India: The Modi Question.”

Additional District Judge (ADJ) Ruchika Singla also issued summons to the Wikimedia Foundation (which funds Wikipedia) and the Internet Archive; the US based digital library.

“Issue summons of the suit for settlement of issues to the defendant upon filing of PF and e-mode returnable on the next date of hearing. PF must be filed today itself. The defendant has 30 days from the date of service of the summons to file his written statement. Endorsement be made on the summons accordingly,” the Court stated in its order.

Kumar moved the Court stating that he is a member of the Jharkhand BJP’s state executive committee and an active volunteer of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

The suit which was filed through counsel Mukesh Sharma stated that the BBC documentary has defamed organisations such as the RSS, VHP, and the BJP.

“The allegations levelled against the RSS and VHP are motivated by a malicious intent to discredit the organisations and their millions of members/volunteers. Such erroneous charges are not only baseless, but also have the potential to harm the character and image of the RSS, VHP, and its millions of members/volunteers, who have vowed to safeguard India’s cultural, social, and national values,” the suit stated.

It further added that the documentary’s release has created an atmosphere of terror and fear among members of diverse groups, and that it has the potential to spark violence and jeopardize public order across the country once more.

“BBC strategically and purposefully disseminated false rumours without verifying their authenticity of the claims. Furthermore, the accusations made foster animosity between various faith communities, particularly Hindus and Muslim.”

Although the documentary has been banned by the Indian government, a Wikipedia page dedicated to the series contains links to watch it, and the content is still available on Internet Archive.

“This leads to the reasonable inference that all three defendants are acting in concert and mutually in order to tarnish the image of the country as well as distinguished organisations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP),” it further stated.

As a result, the plaintiff sought an injunction against the BBC, Wikimedia, and the Internet Archive to prevent them from publishing the documentary or any other information against the RSS and VHP.

The case will now be heard by Judge Singla on May 11, 2023.