New Delhi: An episode of BBC Asian Network has raised the hackles of Indians and is drawing wide criticism for its platform being used for abusing PM Modi and his 99-year-old mother Heeraben.
During a LIVE radio show ‘Big Debate’ in UK, a caller used hugely impolite words against the Prime Minister and his mother and hurled expletives.
The programme, hosted by anchor Priya Rai on BBC Sounds, was aired on Monday (March 1). The debate was about racism against Sikhs and Indians in the UK. As the discussion revolved around ongoing protests in Delhi following 3 agri laws, one of the callers used very impolite language against PM.
The caller known by name of Simon joined the programme and abused PM Modi and his aged mother.
The radio show host was taken aback with this and tried to damage control.
Outrage grips nation over abuse of PM Modi & his mother
As the clipping of radio show made its way on social media, it left Indian citizens as well as netizens shocked and outraged. Thousands of netizens are tweeting against the BBC show and demanding action against the caller.
The anger among Modi’s followers was so palpable that BoycottBBC became one of the top trends.
— Modinama (@Modi_Nama) March 3, 2021
BJP spokesperson Tejinder Bagga went a step further and demanded “not just boycott BBC but Ban BBC”
I don’t agree with #BoycottBBC
It should be #BanBBC— Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) March 3, 2021
Realistically what can India do?
— The Poll Lady (@ThePollLady) March 3, 2021
Post uproar, BBC removes offensive content
After the widespread anger against such offensive remarks, BBC network edited the programme and removed the derogatory remarks.
In a statement, it said, “This programme has been edited since the broadcast.” At 1 hour 32 minutes in the programme, the host Piya Rai issued a weak apology, “Before we carry on though, we would like to apologise for some of the offensive language used by the guest on the show earlier. It’s a live show and we discuss controversial issues often. There was no reason for the type of language that was used and I would like to say sorry again for any offence that was caused.”
