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NEW DELHI: A Delhi court issued summons on Wednesday to BBC, Wikimedia Foundation and Internet Archive in a defamation suit filed by BJP functionary Binay Kumar Singh, who’s seeking a permanent restraint order to disallow the three organisations from publishing a controversial and banned BBC documentary on PM Narendra Modi and any material tied to RSS and VHP.
“The defendant is directed to file his written statement within 30 days from the date of service of the summons. Endorsement be made on the summons accordingly,” said the court of additional district judge Ruchika Singla. The next hearing is scheduled for May 11. Petitioner Singh also sought from the defendants an “unconditional apology” and damages of Rs 10 lakh. According to the suit, the two-volume BBC documentary, titled India: The Modi Question, “has generated an atmosphere of terror and fear among members of various groups, and possesses the potential to trigger violence and jeopardise public order across the nation…”
The lawsuit states that allegations made in the documentary against RSS and VHP are motivated by malicious intent to defame the organisations and its members. It says “…the accusations made therein foster animosity between multiple faith communities, in particular Hindus and Muslims.”
Although the documentary is banned in India, it is available on Wikimedia and Internet Archive, said Singh, who claims to be an active volunteer of RSS and VHP.
The suit states that it is imperative to recognise RSS and VHP as “peaceful and non-political organisations”.
“The defendant is directed to file his written statement within 30 days from the date of service of the summons. Endorsement be made on the summons accordingly,” said the court of additional district judge Ruchika Singla. The next hearing is scheduled for May 11. Petitioner Singh also sought from the defendants an “unconditional apology” and damages of Rs 10 lakh. According to the suit, the two-volume BBC documentary, titled India: The Modi Question, “has generated an atmosphere of terror and fear among members of various groups, and possesses the potential to trigger violence and jeopardise public order across the nation…”
The lawsuit states that allegations made in the documentary against RSS and VHP are motivated by malicious intent to defame the organisations and its members. It says “…the accusations made therein foster animosity between multiple faith communities, in particular Hindus and Muslims.”
Although the documentary is banned in India, it is available on Wikimedia and Internet Archive, said Singh, who claims to be an active volunteer of RSS and VHP.
The suit states that it is imperative to recognise RSS and VHP as “peaceful and non-political organisations”.
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