Mumbai: An episode of John Oliver’s show that criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been blocked in India by Hotstar, the local platform run by Walt Disney Co.
The comedian was previewing President Donald Trump’s visit to India on his Emmy-winning ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver,’ which typically airs at 6 a.m. each Tuesday in the Asian nation. When subscribers logged in Feb. 25, they could only find older episodes.
A Hotstar representative didn’t reply to an email and calls seeking comment. A representative for India’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry said the government wasn’t involved in the matter.
The incident is the latest to show how multinational businesses have to deal carefully in nations run by leaders often perceived as authoritarian. Trump’s visit to India comes amid protests against a new religion-based citizenship law, which erupted in violence hours before Trump landed in the national capital.
“While Modi may have charmed Bear Grylls, the world, and our current president, in India he is an increasingly controversial figure because his government has pursued a steadily escalating persecution of religious minorities,” Oliver said in the episode, which can be viewed on the show’s Youtube account. “The only glimmer of hope here is that for perhaps the first time in Modi’s whole career, his actions are creating a massive and sustained backlash.”
Amazon.com Inc. last year removed an episode of the CBS show Madam Secretary from its streaming service in India, the Quint reported. The episode had references to Hindu nationalism and Hindu extremists in “India-occupied Kashmir,” a Himalayan region that’s been a longstanding flashpoint between India and arch-rival Pakistan.-Bloomberg
Also read: Narendra Modi is ‘temporary symbol of hate’, comedian John Oliver says on Last Week Tonight
The video is blocked again on youtube too
The video of the so called comedian is full of mis-information and facts used conviniently out of context.
The video can be termed borderline fake news if it weren’t for a farce of comedy wrapped around it.
Hotstar saved itself a lot of embarrassment blocking the show.
And you’re totally not a toady for Modi, right?
Blocking will increase it’s popularity. Shame, we never learn
I’ve watched it. It’s full of cherry picked elements taken out of context and insinuating without any proof. Ive seen it. Disappointed. Now makes me question the neutrality and authenticity of episodes I have watched earlier
?
Modi haters pretend to be misinformed so that they can present lies as facts. Opinions based on lies can’t travel long. Nibbing them in the bud is required.
“Nib” (sic) as much as you want bhakt. The whole world knows the truth.
Yes the truth that how dangerous these pisslamic terrorists are
Why would India give citizenship to Bangladeshi Muslims who are not persecuted in their country? Half the Bangladesh would then cross over to India.
It’s not Bangladeshi Muslims that shouldn’t be granted citizenship, it’s the Burmese Muslims. Go look up the Rohingya – a religious minority persecuted in their own country, yet unable to seek asylum simply because they’re Muslims.
*should be granted citizenship
Bangladesh currently more sound economically, do you no this andhbhaqt?
LOL, what are you smoking?