UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the British Parliament, distancing himself from the recent BBC documentary series that criticized Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the 2002 Gujarat riots. Sunak stated that he “doesn’t agree with the characterization” of Modi in the documentary and added that the UK government’s position on the matter has been clear and long-standing. The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms. Indian-origin UK citizens, as well as the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, also condemned the series for its biased reporting.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also spoke out against the documentary, with MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi calling it a “completely biased copy” and questioning “the purpose of the exercise and the agenda behind it.” He also raised concerns about remarks made by former UK Secretary Jack Straw in the documentary, stating that it is unclear what inquiry or investigation Straw is referring to and questioning the legitimacy of his statements.
The documentary has caused much controversy and sparked a strong reaction from both the Indian and UK governments, as well as the Indian-origin UK citizens. Many have criticized the documentary for its biased reporting and its apparent attempts to tarnish the reputation of Prime Minister Modi. The MEA has also questioned the motivations behind the documentary, and it remains to be seen what the long-term impact of the series will be.
