Why BBC Offices are being Raided in India

The transcript discusses a BBC documentary that questions Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's role in the 2002 Gujarat riots. It provides historical context, including the 1992 Babri Masjid demolition and subsequent riots. The documentary alleges Modi's involvement in the 2002 violence and examines his controversial policies since 2019. The Indian government reacted by censoring the documentary and conducting tax raids on BBC offices, raising concerns about press freedom. The situation highlights India's declining press freedom and potential impacts on UK-India relations.

What event triggered the controversy surrounding the BBC documentary?

• A BBC interview with a Bollywood star

• The release of a documentary on Narendra Modi's role in the 2002 Gujarat riots

• A BBC report on India's economic growth

• A BBC documentary on India's cultural heritage

What was the significance of the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992?

• It resulted in the construction of a new mosque

• It led to one of the worst religious clashes since the partition of 1947

• It was a peaceful protest for religious harmony

• It marked the beginning of India's economic reforms

What role did Narendra Modi allegedly play during the 2002 Gujarat riots according to the BBC documentary?

• He was not involved in any capacity

• He was accused of tacitly encouraging Hindu extremists

• He was a mediator between conflicting groups

• He was praised for his efforts to stop the violence

How did the Indian government respond to the BBC documentary?

• They praised the documentary for its accuracy

• They claimed it was propaganda and invoked emergency powers to censor it

• They collaborated with the BBC for a follow-up documentary

• They ignored the documentary completely

What impact did the documentary have on press freedom in India?

• It improved India's ranking on press freedom indices

• It had no impact on press freedom

• It resulted in new laws protecting press freedom

• It led to a decline in India's press freedom ranking

What was the international response to the BBC documentary?

• The United States offered to mediate between the BBC and India

• The United Nations imposed sanctions on India

• The European Union praised India's handling of the situation

• The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office closely monitored the situation

What was one of the reasons for the Indian tax authorities' raids on BBC offices?

• To offer tax incentives for future projects

• To award the BBC for its journalistic excellence

• To collaborate on a new documentary

• To investigate the BBC's alleged vast diversion of profits