BBC documentary row: In a modern replace to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi documentary row over the Gujarat riots, a Delhi court on Wednesday issued summons to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Wikimedia Foundation, and the US-based digital library Internet Archive on a defamation swimsuit filed by BJP chief Binay Kumar Singh.
According to the data, the swimsuit was filed by Singh looking for to restrain them from publishing the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi or every other materials associated to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). While issuing the summons, the Additional District Judge of Rohini Court listed the matter for additional listening to on May 11.
“Issue summons of the suit for settlement of issues to the defendant on the filing of PF and e-mode returnable on the next date of hearing. PF be filed today itself. The defendant is directed to file his written statement within 30 days from the date of service of the summons. Endorsement be made on the summons accordingly,” the court stated in its order.
‘Documentary made to defame RSS, VHP’
Singh had moved the swimsuit by advocate Mukesh Sharma stating that claims within the documentary in opposition to the RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad are made with the intention of defaming the organisations and their volunteers.
“The allegations made against the RSS and VHP are motivated by a malicious intent to defame the organisations and its millions of members/volunteers. Such unfounded allegations are not only baseless but also have the potential to damage the reputation and image of the RSS, VHP and its millions of members/volunteers, who have committed themselves to upholding the cultural, social and national values of India,” the swimsuit acknowledged.
What court directed?
The court additional ordered that the defendant is directed to file his written assertion inside 30 days from the date of service of the summons. Endorsement be made on the summons accordingly.” The two-volume documentary series that has already been banned is however simply accessible within the public area on Wikimedia and the Internet Archive, Singh has argued.
“Defendant No.1 (BBC), strategically and purposefully disseminated unfounded rumours without verifying the authenticity of the claims. Furthermore, the accusations made therein foster animosity between multiple faith communities, in particular Hindus and Muslims,” the swimsuit stated.
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Complainant seeks unconditional apology by the defendants
Singh has additionally sought an order of unconditional apology by the defendants, to him, the RSS, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad for the allegedly “libellous and defamatory content” that was included within the two-volume documentary series.
In January this 12 months, the UK-based media, BBC launched a documentary- “India: The Modi Question”. The documentary is allegedly primarily based on the Gujarat riots and the position of then Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
(With inputs from IANS)
