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Propaganda video, shoddy journalism: British MP Bob Blackman on PM Modi BBC documentary

A British parliamentarian has termed the controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “propaganda video” and a “disgraceful piece of shoddy journalism.”

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A British parliamentarian has termed the controversial BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “propaganda video” and a “disgraceful piece of shoddy journalism.”

In an interview with news agency ANI, UK Member of Parliament, Bob Blackman said the contentious documentary should never have been released as it ignored the “all-important fact” that India’s Supreme Court had already investigated the accusation against PM Modi in connection with the 2002 riots and didn’t find a shred of evidence.

Bob Blackman, a member of the ruling Conservative and MP for Harrow East, asserted that as Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi did his best to appeal for peace and calm the tempers during the infamous 2002 Godhra riots.

The politician accused the two-part documentary of slander which regrettably makes it seem as if the BBC had some agenda to India-UK ties. He said that the United Kingdom regards India as a strong friend and ally and the two countries were negotiating a landmark free trade deal and anything that disrupts the process is extremely regrettable. Blackman also lauded PM Modi for the radical transformation of India’s economy.

The British parliamentarian said BBC piece on PM Modi was merely overseen by the broadcaster but produced by an external organization and as such was “full of innuendos” adding that the two-part series was more on the lines of a propaganda video and a “disgraceful piece of shoddy journalism” targeting Narendra Modi, first as a Chief Minister of Gujarat and then as India’s duly elected Prime Minister.

Blackman said that the BBC should never have released the documentary as the British broadcaster has a worldwide reputation and people might think that all these things were true because the BBC broadcasted it. But, said Blackman, the documentary, produced by an external organization and overseen by the BBC is “far from the truth” as it failed to delve into the cause of the 2002 Gujarat riots and also ignored the fact these allegations have been thoroughly investigated by the Supreme Court which found “all the claims against Narendra Modi and found that not a shred of evidence to support them.”

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Blackman said Narendra Modi, as then chief minister of Gujarat, had sought additional police resources within Gujarat and beyond and eventually called in the army to help quell the riots.

In his critique of the BBC documentary, Blackman said that it showed Modi making appeals for calm and urging people to not riot and then put contradicted that with a whole another series of different montages together with different people, adding that the people involved in the making of the film, clearly have an axe to grind against Narendra Modi.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs had termed the documentary a “propaganda piece”, saying it reflected a “colonial mindset”, while the Centre has issued directions for blocking YouTube videos and Twitter posts sharing links to the controversial piece.

BBC tax survey

Regarding the tax surveys conducted Indian tax authorities at British Broadcasting Corporation’s offices in New Delhi and Mumbai, Blackman said the review of the broadcaster’s tax affairs is “nothing new” and “has been and has been going on for quite some time, adding that there have been prior discussions between India’s taxmen and the BBC and the UK national broadcaster is bound to follow the relevant rules and regulations.

Blackman said its BBC’s job to ensure they are caught with the rules and regulations while operating in the country and while some may view it as an attack on media, that’s not an accurate assessment of the situation.

The MP said that it was merely a review and no suggestions of charges or anything along those lines have been made by the Indian authorities.

On a question asking if BBC film on PM Modi reflects the view of the British government, Blackman dismissed such suggestion and said the BBC is not an arm of the British government and is frequently critical of the UK regime… “and that’s their job, their job is to ask questions, to look for evidence. But the key here is you can ask questions but when there is evidence to the contrary and it’s quite clearly not the case, then you shouldn’t be casting aspersions. I think that is the difference here, which I think it is extremely regrettable because it would seem as if there was some sort of agenda of the BBC to disrupt UK-India relations.”

Blackman hoped that the film would not impact India-UK relations, adding that he, however, agreed to one thing in the BBC documentary which said that Narendra Modi and the BJP government will probably be re-elected next time and the time after.

The British MP said that PM Modi and the BJP deserve it as they done “a remarkable job” in steering India towards becoming the world’s fifth biggest economy now in the world.

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Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails

Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.

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Delhi Metro

Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.

According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.

A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.

Metro stations under heightened surveillance

Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.

Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.

The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.

Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.

While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.

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JNU protest turns violent as Left and Right student groups trade charges

A late-night protest at JNU turned violent as Left and ABVP student groups accused each other of stone-throwing and attacks near the East Gate.

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JNU Protest

Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.

Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.

According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.

However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.

Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.

Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.

University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.

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World praised India’s AI potential at AI Impact Summit, says PM Modi

PM Modi said the world praised India’s AI potential at the AI Impact Summit 2026, where 89 countries endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on artificial intelligence.

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pm modi speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the world wholeheartedly praised India’s potential during the recently concluded AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, highlighting the growing global confidence in the country’s young technology talent.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the summit demonstrated how the mindset of India’s youth in the field of technology would serve humanity at large. He described the event as historic and underlined the positive global response to India’s AI capabilities.

The AI Impact Summit 2026, organised in New Delhi last week, concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact. The declaration has been endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations, signalling broad global agreement on promoting artificial intelligence for economic growth and social welfare.

Broad global participation

The summit saw the participation of several prominent world leaders and top technology executives. Among those present were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Swiss President Guy Parmelin.

Other leaders attending the summit included Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic, Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Estonia President Alar Karis, and Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Chief executives and senior leaders from major global technology firms were also part of the gathering.

Focus on inclusive AI growth

Held under the theme ‘Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay’ (welfare for all, happiness of all), the summit aimed to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence while ensuring that AI development remains inclusive and sustainable.

The event brought together more than 500 international AI leaders. This included around 100 CEOs and founders, 150 academicians and researchers, and 400 CTOs, vice presidents and philanthropists. Additionally, over 100 government representatives and nearly 60 ministers and vice ministers participated in discussions.

The New Delhi Declaration seeks to strengthen international cooperation and ensure that AI technologies contribute to economic progress, social good and environmental protection.

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