Gujarat Assembly passes resolution against BBC documentary on 2002 riots

The Gujarat Assembly on Friday passed a resolution requesting the Centre to take strict action against BBC for tarnishing the image and popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with its documentary on the 2002 riots in the state.

The controversial two-part series by the British Broadcasting Corporation titled 'India: The Modi Question' misrepresents the events of 2002 in a malicious and low-level attempt to tarnish India's image globally, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Vipul Patel said in the House while moving the resolution.

The documentary claims to have probed certain aspects of the riots, which took place after the Godhra train burning incident when Modi was Gujarat chief minister.

The documentary was banned in India soon after its release.

Patel's resolution was supported by BJP MLAs Manisha Vakil, Amit Thaker, Dhavalsinh Zala and minister Harsh Sanghavi.

It was passed by voice vote in the absence of Congress MLAs who were expelled from the House earlier in the day.

After passing the resolution unanimously, Speaker Shanker Chaudhary said the attempt by BBC is "reprehensible" and is "condemned vehemently," adding the House passed the resolution to send its message to the Centre.