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In a sharp move, the Indian government on Monday formally objected to the BBC's coverage of the recent Pahalgam terror attack by sending a formal letter to Jackie Martin, BBC’s Head in India, through the External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of External Affairs.
The letter conveyed India's "strong sentiments" about the coverage, highlighting a long-simmering perception that the British broadcaster often portrays India in a consistently negative light.
Pahalgam Coverage: A Diplomatic Flashpoint
The immediate cause for the diplomatic rebuke was the BBC’s portrayal of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, where terrorists killed 26 Indian civilians and wounded several others.
Instead of identifying the perpetrators as terrorists, BBC’s coverage repeatedly used terms like "militants" and "gunmen". Further inflaming sentiment, the BBC referred to the region as "Indian-administered Kashmir," a phrase undermining the country’s territorial sovereignty.
Adding to the controversy, BBC’s headline — "Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack" — drew widespread criticism for appearing to shift blame onto India. Multiple social media users and government sources pointed out that the phrasing implied Indian responsibility for the massacre, further straining ties.
The Ministry of External Affairs formally conveyed India's "strong sentiments" to Jackie Martin, BBC’s Head in India, warning that future reporting would be closely scrutinised.
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A Pattern of Bias: Previous Tensions With the BBC
This is far from the first time that the BBC has found itself in India's crosshairs. In February 2023, the Income Tax Department conducted surveys at BBC’s Delhi and Mumbai offices, citing alleged financial irregularities. It also flared tensions by airing a controversial documentary critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In 2020, BBC’s reporting on the Delhi riots was also heavily criticised for what officials described as "selective and misleading" portrayal of events, notably ignoring attacks on certain communities while highlighting others.
During the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, BBC faced another backlash for allegedly spreading "half-truths" and presenting the situation in a manner that Indian authorities deemed inflammatory and irresponsible.
What Drives BBC's Editorial Choices?
Speculation abounds regarding the BBC’s editorial stance. Some suggest it stems from an outdated colonial perspective that views post-colonial nations with scepticism. Others argue that, operating in a fiercely competitive global media market, the BBC's negative framing serves to attract controversy-driven audiences.
Besides, netizens in India also accused the BBC of being jealous of India’s development, with some stating that it is yet to digest the fact that the country, which was once looted by the Britishers, has now surpassed England in many sectors, including the overall economy.
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The Indian government’s decision to formally caution the BBC signals a hardening stance. By pledging to monitor future coverage, New Delhi is making clear that narratives perceived as undermining India's sovereignty or internal stability will not go unanswered.
