The Indian video streaming service blocks HBO’s ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ episode critical of Modi.
With violent clashes over India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the capital city of Delhi overshadowing President Donald Trump’s visit to the country, looks like there is an increasing control on critical comments too.
In line with its format of picking up topical happenings in the US and around the world for humorous comment, the latest episode of American comedian John Oliver’s ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,’ was centered around Trump’s visit and his much watched-out meeting with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Aired on HBO just before Trump’s visit, Oliver in his usual humorous style critiqued many controversial policies of Modi with quotes from several media outlets in India.
The host touched upon topics such as 2016 demonetization of high value bank notes in India and the ongoing controversy surrounding CAA. While the episode quickly began going viral in India, the sharp critique also angered many Modi supporters.
In the episode, Oliver goes into the history of rightwing Hindu volunteer organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) with which Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janatiya Partry is affiliated, and talks about how its founders admired Adolf Hilter.
The episode also questions Modi’s alleged inaction during the 2002 Gujarat riots as then chief minister of his home state.
Perhaps in a bid to cool the tempers of those who may find the episode objectionable, Hotstar, one of India’s largest video streaming services and a syndicating partner for HBO in India, chose to block out the episode from its content.
Even though the episode can be viewed on YouTube, the move by the streaming service to block out content critical of the current government in India, raises questions about this act of self-censorship on the part of the streaming service.