On Tuesday, June 20, the controversial BBC documentary titled “India: The Modi Question” will be screened in the United States, stirring up significant controversy just days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit. The documentary delves into Modi’s leadership during the 2002 Gujarat riots, a tragic event that resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 individuals, predominantly Muslims. Despite being subjected to censorship in India, the documentary has garnered international recognition. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have taken the initiative to organise its screening in Washington, aligning with Modi’s arrival on June 20.The two-part documentary delves into the allegations surrounding Modi’s role in the Gujarat riots and his alleged failure to intervene effectively. While Modi has consistently denied the accusations, a Supreme Court-ordered investigation found no evidence supporting his prosecution. However, the controversy surrounding the documentary persists, leading to its ban in India and the removal of related online content from platforms like Twitter and YouTube.Human Rights Watch, along with Amnesty International, has called for meaningful discussions on human rights issues between Prime Minister Modi, US President Joe Biden, and Congressional leaders. Their screening of the documentary aims to shed light on the ongoing concerns regarding discrimination against minorities, particularly Muslims, in India. The 2022 World Report by Human Rights Watch has highlighted the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government’s alleged bias, with supporters involved in violent attacks, institutions exhibiting partiality, and civil society activists and journalists facing suppression through politically motivated charges.In a letter addressed to President Biden and Congressional leaders, Human Rights Watch has urged them to address India’s human rights situation directly with Prime Minister Modi. The Committee for Protection of Journalists (CPJ) has also called on the Biden administration to take action against media crackdowns and arbitrary arrests of journalists in India. In this video, we speak with Beh Lih Yi, the Asia head at CPJ.The country’s press freedom ranking has been falling since 2014, and it leads globally in internet shutdowns.Despite mounting pressure from human rights groups, it remains uncertain whether their demands will be taken into consideration during Prime Minister Modi’s visit. The designation of India as a consequential partner in Asia by the US adds complexity to the matter, potentially overshadowing human rights concerns. Similar events in Australia prior to Modi’s visit did not impede its success, with the Australian Prime Minister even praising him and calling PM Modi “the boss”.As the controversial documentary garners attention and discussion surrounding Modi’s leadership and human rights in India intensifies, the screening in the US marks a pivotal moment. Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming address to US Congress on June 22 will be closely watched, as human rights groups continue to push for meaningful discussions and actions on these critical issues.
