On BBC documentary, Supreme Court used as 'tool' by anti-India forces, says RSS-linked weekly Panchjanya

A publication linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has reportedly claimed that the Supreme Court is being used as a "tool" by anti-India forces.

An editorial in the latest edition of 'Panchjanya' criticised the top court for issuing a notice to the Narendra Modi government over petitions regarding BBC's documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots. The petitions had challenging blocking of links sharing the documentary.

The article said that the Supreme Court runs on Indian taxpayers' money for the sake of the country, but was being used as a tool by India's opponents to clear their way. The editorial also stated that all anti-national forces take advantage of the provisions of "our democracy, our generosity, and our civilisational standards," against us.

The Supreme Court last week dismissed a plea seeking the imposition of a complete ban on the BBC in India in the wake of the controversial documentary, terming the petition "entirely misconceived" and "absolutely meritless". Another set of petitions challenging the government's decision to block the documentary will be heard in April next.

On January 21, the government issued directions to block multiple YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the documentary.

(With PTI inputs)