SC Court Agrees to Hear Plea against Ban on BBC Documentary on PM Narendra Modi

The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear on February 6 a petitions challenging the ban on BBC’s documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots against PM Narendra Modi.

The petitioner and advocate ML sharma urged the supreme court to call and examine the BBC documentary – both parts I and II – and sought action against persons who were responsible and were involved directly and indirectly with the 2002 Gujarat riots.

The petitioner has raised a constitutional question and the top court has to decide whether citizens have the right under Article 19 (1) (2) to see news, facts and reports on the 2002 Gujarat riots.

M L Sharma also sought direction to quash the order dated January 21, of the Ministry of the Information and Broadcasting, terming it as illegal, malafide, arbitrary and unconstitutional.

His plea said whether the central government can curtail freedom of press which is a fundamental right as guaranteed under Article 19 (1) (2) of the Constitution.

On January 21 this year, the Centre govt issued directions for blocking multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the controversial BBC documentary “India: The Modi Question.