Indian poll watchdog stops web series on Modi

Published April 20, 2019
Under Indian election regulations, the publication of any content which is deemed as campaign material or propaganda is not allowed during the voting period. — AP/File
Under Indian election regulations, the publication of any content which is deemed as campaign material or propaganda is not allowed during the voting period. — AP/File

India's poll watchdog on Saturday ordered producers to stop streaming a web series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, weeks after it banned a Bollywood film and clamped down on a TV channel devoted to the right-wing premier.

The Election Commission of India — an autonomous body tasked with overseeing the world's biggest democratic exercise — said the online web series was in violation of its rules.

Under Indian election regulations, the publication of any content which is deemed as campaign material or propaganda is not allowed during the voting period.

Any political advertising must also be approved by the election authorities so that all spending is accounted for.

India's mammoth six-week vote began on April 11 and will run until May 19, with results due on May 23.

When it ordered a halt to the streaming of the online series, the commission said any biopic material which has the “potential to disturb the level playing field” should not be displayed until after the polls have closed.

The series, titled “Modi: Journey of a Common Man” is produced by Eros Now and traces Modi's journey from childhood to becoming the prime minister of the world's largest democracy.

Earlier this month, the commission banned the release of a flattering movie about Modi until after voting finishes.

Days later it ordered a clampdown on NaMo TV, a channel showing 24-hour programmes on Modi rallies, speeches, and even rap songs and dance routines devoted to the leader.

The Election Commission said NaMo TV had to submit all of its content for approval.

The Hindu nationalist Modi, 68, is seeking a tough re-election after storming to power in 2014.

He often uses his humble upbringing as a tea-seller's son to strike a chord with millions of poor voters.

The election commission — often accused of being ineffective — has been flooded with complaints since campaigning started in March.

Last week, the Supreme Court told it to act tough on complaints of poll violations by political leaders.

Opinion

Editorial

Killjoys in Swat
03 Oct, 2023

Killjoys in Swat

IN yet another blow to women’s rights in Pakistan, a group of young, spirited girls seeking to participate in a...
Relying on debt
03 Oct, 2023

Relying on debt

PAKISTAN is in a debt spiral that may push it over the cliff should the world decide to remove the drip-feed of...
Palestine abandoned
03 Oct, 2023

Palestine abandoned

IT appears to be only a matter of time before a normalisation deal is announced between Saudi Arabia and Israel....
Faizabad redux
Updated 02 Oct, 2023

Faizabad redux

TLP was allowed to flourish despite its virulent ideology, recurrently causing immense embarrassment for Pakistani authorities in later years.
Exporting beggars
02 Oct, 2023

Exporting beggars

A RECENT revelation by the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis during a briefing to the Senate has...
Brutalising society
02 Oct, 2023

Brutalising society

THE Senate Standing Committee on Interior passed a bill last week with a majority vote that favoured the public...