Shimla: A senior BJP leader on Tuesday backed the surveys carried out by the country's Income Tax department sleuths in British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) offices in Delhi and Mumbai.

BJP Himachal state in-charge Avinash Rai Khanna said amidst the ongoing 'raids' on BBC offices by the IT Department that the way political reactions are coming from the opposition parties on the action of the Income Tax Department is "very worrying".

He reminded the Congress that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi herself banned BBC.

"The Constitution of India gives them this right to do reporting, to do unbiased journalism, but it cannot be tolerated to advance its agenda under the garb of journalism," he said.

Khanna said that the Income Tax Department is legally conducting a survey on the BBC office.

He said that in fact some 'sections' are not able to tolerate the growing dominance of India on the world stage.

"We all know how India is progressing on the world stage under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India is currently presiding over the G20, but many such powers are working which are not liking India's growing stature," he said.
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"BBC has every right to do journalism in India, but they have to follow the law of the country. Any agency or company operating in India, whether it is related to media or other activities, they have to follow the law established in India. If you haven't done anything wrong, then why fear, why worry? The Income Tax Department should be allowed to do its work and milk would turn into water," he said.

Khanna cited various examples of how Indian sentiments have been allegedly insulted by the BBC so far.

"What kind of journalism is it by BBC in one of its programs to award a charismatic young terrorist adjective to a terrorist active in Kashmir and challenging the integrity of India? BBC is working in India but trying to destroy our constitution. India is known for its civilization-culture and diversity all over the world, making fun of the festival here," he said.

"BBC once described Holi as an unholy festival. After all, what does the BBC know about our festivals? In another report, he insulted our icon and father of the nation by saying that Mahatma Gandhi failed to liberate India," he said.

(With UNI inputs)