PORVORIM: BBC documentary ‘India: the Modi Question’, on Godhra riots found time and mention in the Goa Assembly, on a day when the indignities on our Manipuri sisters and daughters have united the nation.
BJP’s Vasco MLA Krishna ‘Daji’ Salkar picked an issue not related to Goa and unleashed an attack on the venerable BBC, even expanding its acronym to say findings shown in the BBC documentary on Godhra riots were “whimsical”.
He demanded the Central Government take strict action against the British broadcaster through a private member resolution claiming it to be aimed at tarnishing the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Vasco MLA Krishna ‘Daji’ Salkar said, “BBC is Bhrasht (corrupt) Bakavaas (nonsense) Corporation.”
The Assembly witnessed uproar on the resolution moved by BJP MLA; the opposition accused the government of suppressing the freedom of the press and stated that the said resolution is “anti-India”.
They said that the ban on said documentary has been challenged in the Court and since the matter is sub judice. It cannot be taken up for discussion in the House. They further said that the resolution violates the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
“They came out with the documentary when parliamentary elections are around the corner. It is aimed at defaming our Prime Minister. When someone tries to defame our Prime Minister then as a citizen of this country it is our duty to oppose them,” Salkar said.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that if BJP MLAs are so concerned about the image of Narendra Modi then they should consider fighting a battle in the Court against the BBC and not waste the time of the House.
“Not all Goans were aware of this, by bringing in the resolution; the BJP has actually popularized the documentary. Even though it is presently banned in India, now people will download it from torrent sites and watch it. I feel MLA Salkar was compelled to move the resolution by his (BJP) fake broadcasting corporation,” Sardesai said.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao pointed out to the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly that all seven opposition MLAs had submitted a letter to his office with a request to disallow the said resolution moved by the BJP MLA.
Quoting the rules, Alemao said, “A resolution based on presumption or hypothetical in character is inadmissible; this resolution was not on any state subject. This resolution does not seek to implement any constitutional or statutory directive such resolutions in the past have been disallowed. This resolution should be examined because it is a question of freedom of speech, it is a question of freedom of the press and it is the question of the image of our country.”
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant recalled the alleged atrocities on journalists and restrictions on media publications during the emergency imposed in 1975 terming the phase as a “murder of democracy”.
The resolution was passed with a majority of votes through voice votes, as the Speaker refused the demand of the opposition to consider division of votes.
