Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan observed that the controversial BBC documentary "India: The Modi Question" comes at a time when India assumed the G20 presidency and questioned the timing.
He expressed surprise at people attaching more importance to the opinion of a foreign documentary maker than the verdict of the Supreme Court. He also emphasised the nationality of the documentary maker and said "that too our colonial masters."
"So many judicial verdicts, including that of the highest court of the land, the timing, all these things have to be taken into consideration. This is a time when India has assumed the G20 presidency. Why has this particular time been chosen to bring out this scurrilous material? You cannot ignore these things and particularly when it is coming from a source who ruled over us for over 200 years," said Khan.
He further said the intention behind the documentary was to "make India fall into pieces" and alleged that the British had predicted at the time of India's independence that it was not capable of preserving its freedom. "So when such comments (documentary) come from people like them, one has to take it with a pinch of salt." He added that the British contended that India will break into pieces because maintaining unity is not possible due to its diversity. "Now they see India emerging in the world scene."
"A person of Indian origin is their Prime Minister. Therefore, they want to use every opportunity, rather create or invent opportunities to lower the esteem of India. I do not think this issue needs to be discussed anymore. It should be treated with the contempt it deserves," said the governor.