PIL before SC seeking a total ban on BBC for airing the documentary, "India: The Modi Question."

The Supreme Court has received a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition seeking a total ban on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for airing the documentary, "India: The Modi Question." The documentary examines the 2002 Gujarat riots and the role of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Central government has banned the documentary on social media and online channels, but it has been screened in colleges and universities. The petitioners have also sought an investigation into the BBC for what they claim is anti-India reporting.

The petitioners, Vishnu Gupta and Beerendra Kumar Singh have sought a ban on the documentary "India: The Modi Question" and an investigation into the BBC for what they believe is anti-India reporting. They argue that the Supreme Court previously cleared the cases related to the 2002 Gujarat riots and found no evidence linking the attacks to any minister of the State of Gujarat. They claim that the documentary is not only a propaganda effort to tarnish the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but also an attempt by the BBC to destroy the social fabric of India through anti-Hinduism propaganda.

The petitioners have also alleged that the BBC has had an anti-Indian stance since the time of India's independence. They pointed out that the Central government led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi banned the BBC in India for two years. Additionally, the petitioners highlighted that in 1975, 41 Members of Parliament belonging to the Congress party issued a statement accusing the BBC of broadcasting anti-India stories and asked the government to ban the BBC from reporting from India. The petitioners submitted that they had made a representation to the Union Home Ministry to ban the BBC on January 27th, but no action has been taken yet.

According to the petitioner, Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution does not enshrine a right to free speech, but it is qualified by Article 19(2).