The Modi Question: BBC Documentary & India's Tensions Explained

Name: The Modi Question: BBC Documentary & India's Tensions Explained
Genre: Documentary
Rating: 9.7

Ms. Delphine Ruecker V 13 May 2025

Does the past ever truly stay buried? For India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the answer appears to be a resounding no, as a controversial BBC documentary, "India: The Modi Question," has reignited debates surrounding his political career and, more specifically, his role during the 2002 Gujarat riots. The series has sent ripples through India and beyond, prompting bans, heated discussions about press freedom, and raising uncomfortable questions about Modis relationship with Indias large Muslim minority.

The documentary, currently available for viewing on BBC iPlayer, delves into the early political trajectory of Narendra Modi, focusing intensely on his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat during the devastating 2002 riots. These riots, which resulted in the deaths of over a thousand people, predominantly Muslims, have long been a source of controversy and scrutiny. Accusations regarding Modi's alleged inaction or tacit support during the violence have dogged him for years, accusations that this BBC series aims to dissect and analyze.

Category	Details
Full Name	Narendra Damodardas Modi
Date of Birth	September 17, 1950
Place of Birth	Vadnagar, Gujarat, India
Age (as of November 3, 2024)	74 years
Nationality	Indian
Religion	Hindu
Political Party	Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Early Life and Education	Modi's early life was marked by modest circumstances. He helped his father sell tea at the local railway station and later ran a tea stall with his brother. He became involved with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization, at a young age. Modi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Delhi University and a Master of Arts degree in political science from Gujarat University.
Political Career	Early Involvement: Active in student politics and the RSS from a young age. BJP Organizer: Rose through the ranks of the BJP, serving as an organizer at the state and national levels. Chief Minister of Gujarat (2001-2014): Served as Chief Minister of Gujarat for over 12 years, overseeing significant economic growth in the state. His tenure was also marked by the 2002 Gujarat riots. Prime Minister of India (2014-Present): Led the BJP to a landslide victory in the 2014 general election and became Prime Minister of India. His administration has focused on economic reforms, infrastructure development, and promoting a nationalist agenda. He secured a second term in 2019 with an even larger majority.
Key Policies and Initiatives	Make in India: An initiative to encourage domestic manufacturing and attract foreign investment. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: A nationwide cleanliness campaign to improve sanitation and hygiene. Demonetization (2016): A controversial move to remove high-value currency notes from circulation in an effort to combat corruption and black money. Goods and Services Tax (GST): A comprehensive indirect tax reform to create a unified national market. Ayushman Bharat: A national health insurance scheme to provide affordable healthcare to millions of Indians.
Controversies	2002 Gujarat Riots: Modi's role during the riots remains highly controversial. He has been accused of inaction and failing to prevent the violence. He has consistently denied these allegations, and investigations have not led to convictions. Demonetization: The demonetization policy in 2016 was widely criticized for its disruptive impact on the economy and the hardships it caused for ordinary citizens. Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA): The CAA, passed in 2019, grants citizenship to religious minorities (excluding Muslims) from neighboring countries. It has been criticized for being discriminatory and violating the secular principles of the Indian constitution.
International Relations	Modi has actively engaged in diplomacy to strengthen India's relationships with other countries. He has focused on building strategic partnerships with the United States, Russia, China, and other major powers. He has also emphasized regional cooperation through initiatives like the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).
Awards and Recognition	Modi has received numerous awards and honors from various countries and organizations, recognizing his leadership and contributions to international relations and development. Some notable awards include: Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud (Saudi Arabia) Order of Zayed (United Arab Emirates) Order of St. Andrew the Apostle (Russia) Champions of the Earth Award (United Nations)
Website	Official Website of Narendra Modi