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Powertrip: BBC’s response to Indian govt’s objection on Pahalgam coverage

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In this week’s edition, we delve into the BBC’s firm response to the Indian government’s objection to their reporting style on terrorism – a situation that looks set to escalate. We also have exclusive information on the Enforcement Directorate’s attempts to initiate a case against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son-in-law, Sabarisan, and the compelling reasons why Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah might order a recount of the contentious caste census.

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Terror, semantics, fallout

The BBC’s coverage of the terror attack has drawn the ire of the Indian government due to the network’s reluctance to use the term “terrorist”. The Ministry of Home Affairs has reportedly conveyed its displeasure to Jacky Martens, the BBC’s South Asia bureau chief.  

In response, the BBC issued a statement saying, “The BBC has reported the attacks in Indian-administered Kashmir accurately, impartially, and responsibly. We have included Prime Minister Modi’s response to the attacks prominently in our coverage. Our long-standing position, reflected in the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines, is to use the word ‘terrorist’ with attribution. Anyone who has seen or listened to our coverage will have heard the word attributed and used in various quotes and interviews.”

The statement further said that this approach has been followed for decades and is determined by the BBC’s editorial policies.

“The BBC’s approach is set out in our publicly available Editorial Guidelines, Section 11: War, Terror and Emergencies. We have included Prime Minister Modi’s response throughout our coverage, including his post on X and his statements. For example: ‘Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakeable and it will get even stronger,’ Modi wrote on X; and ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed that India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers, and pursue them to the ends of the Earth.’”

A source in the BBC said that in politically sensitive situations, the network generally refrains from directly using the word terrorist without attribution – a policy rooted in controversies from the past, including the BBC’s early coverage of Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress, when Mandela was once referred to as a terrorist by sections of the Western media. Since then, the BBC has adopted a cautious policy of using the term only when clearly attributed to a source.

However, the BBC has used the word terrorist directly for certain attacks and groups in recent years, and the explanation that it is used only with attribution may not fully satisfy the Indian government.

With the BBC unlikely to change its editorial policy – and its various language services also adhering to the same guidelines – a potential showdown with the Indian government appears imminent.

What triggered govt advisory 

On April 26, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory to the media warning them against real-time coverage, dissemination of visuals, or reporting using “sources-based” information related to defence operations or troop movements. The advisory came two days after news agency ANI broadcast visuals showing the Indian Army conducting a joint search operation with the Special Operations Group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Lasana forest area of Poonch, aimed at tracking down terrorists.

The advisory raised eyebrows, especially since it was assumed that the ANI footage had either been officially sanctioned or captured in coordination with government or military authorities.

To understand what triggered this response, we spoke to insiders. Many believe that some overzealous reporters may have obtained sensitive details about the army’s movements through unofficial channels – bypassing official public relations officers but still sourced from within the government or military. Additionally, it is believed that the visuals aired were not from the border areas but rather showed troop mobilisation from the hinterland.

While the Modi government may have intended to convey a strong message through these visuals, standard military protocols prohibit the release of sensitive operational details to the media. Concerned about potential complications arising from such leaks, the government issued the advisory to assert its position and ensure legal protection in case of future fallout.

Karnataka caste survey recount?

The caste survey report continues to make headlines in Karnataka. Last week, we reported that instructions to act on the findings came directly from the Congress high command. Now, sources reveal that despite strong backing from both Rahul Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, several ministers are preparing to call for a recount.

This follows Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s request for written submissions from ministers who wish to express their views on the report. After consulting with their community leaders, ministers from the Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities are reportedly planning to formally demand a recount.

What does a ‘recount’ entail? There are two possible routes. One, they may ask the CM to authorise a full resurvey, citing complaints that many households were skipped during the original data collection – a move that would require significant time and resources. The alternative is to revise or supplement the existing data using records maintained at the gram panchayat and ward levels.

However, sources indicate that the chief minister is not inclined toward either option at this stage, though he continues to weigh the political and administrative implications.

Land deal under ED lens

The Enforcement Directorate is fast-tracking a money laundering investigation against Ishari Ganesh, trustee of Vels Group of Institutions and a key producer in the Tamil Nadu film industry. The ED is apparently aiming to establish a connection to Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin’s son-in-law, Sabarisan Vedamurthy.

The probe began against former AIADMK minister C Vijayabaskar and other officials over alleged irregularities in granting an Essentiality Certificate to Vels Medical College in 2020. As the investigation progressed, the ED uncovered a land deal involving Ganesh’s company, Aarthi Associates Private Limited, and G-Square Housing.

ED claims that Aarthi Associates sold prime land in Chennai’s Pallavaram to G-Square Zamin Pallavaram Land Pvt Ltd for Rs 15.92 crore – an inflated price. Initially, Aarthi Associates had an agreement to sell the same land to Max Space Realty LLP for Rs 6.66 crore. MSRL is owned by Sabarisan and Mohan Karthik, son of Anna Nagar MLA MK Mohan.

The ED recovered a Memorandum of Understanding between Aarthi Associates and MSRL dated July 23, 2018. The MoU was cancelled in December 2018, and the land was then sold to G-Square. The ED is investigating whether part of this deal was redirected to MSRL and if there was any quid pro quo.

While Ganesh has been summoned again by the ED, both he and G-Square Director Ramajayam (alias Bala) have denied any involvement of MSRL in the transaction.

Sources close to Sabarisan say that he is unfazed by the ED’s efforts as the investigation has yielded no results so far, claiming that the ED is grasping at straws.

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With inputs from Pooja Prasanna, Shabbir Ahmed & Nidheesh MK.

Newsletter management: Vidya Sigamany.

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