When Congress MPs said BBC never missed an opportunity to malign India

Around 41 Congress MPs had in 1975 sought a ban on the BBC reporting in India. The BBC also came under the scanner for documentary it broadcast in the 1970s on India

Following the surveys carried out by the Income Tax officials on the offices of the BBC, a large section in the Opposition have cried foul. Many Congress leaders have accused the government of wilfully targeting the BBC after the British channel aired a documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the instant case of the BBC, there has been persistent non-compliance with the above mentioned rules for years. As a result of the same, several notices have been issued to the BBC. However, the BBC has been continuously defiant and non-compliant and has been significantly diverted their profits.

The key focus of these surveys is to look into manipulation of prices for unauthorised benefits, including tax advantages. These surveys have been undertaken due to BBC's persistent non-compliance of the norms, making it a repeat offender, sources tell OneIndia.

When the Congress cracked down on the BBC:

When Congress leader, Indira Gandhi was the prime minister of India, the BBC had been banned for two years.

The BBC had broadcast the UK premiere of Calcutta, a documentary made by French director, Louis Malle. The film was shot in Calcutta between 1968 and 1969. The main focus of the documentary was on poverty rather than on the working class. Clearly Indira Gandhi was unhappy about this.

The Indian High Commission received complaints about the documentary being highly biased against India. When it reached out to the UK Foreign Office, the High Commission was clearly told that it could not interfere with the BBC. The Indian High Commission told the BBC to pull down the documentary.

On August 29 1970, the BBC was expelled from India by an order of the government. The BBC was told to close its office in Delhi within the next 15 days.

Indian Express dated 14 th August 1975. 41 Congress MPs signed a statement accusing the BBC of "broadcasting notoriously anti-India stories" and demanded a ban on the BBC saying, "BBC never missed an opportunity to malign India". Old habits die hard!! pic.twitter.com/OD5dza63qs

— Priti Gandhi - प्रीति गांधी (@MrsGandhi) February 3, 2023

The BJP's Priti Gandhi shared a clip of the Indian Express dated August 14 1975 in which a ban was sought on the BBC in India. The report said, ' a statement signed by 41 Congress MPs accused the BBC of broadcasting 'notoriously anti-India stories' and asked the government not to allow the BBC to report again from Indian soil. The BBC never missed an opportunity to malign and wilfully misrepresent the country, the statement said.'