Election Commission orders Eros Now to take down web series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi

The Election Commission on Saturday directed the on-demand video platform Eros Now to stop till further orders online streaming of a web series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“In view of the admitted facts and material available on record, this web series being an original web series on Shri Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister and a political leader and a prospective candidate in the current general elections to the Lok Sabha, cannot be exhibited,” the poll panel said.

“It was brought to our notice that a web series "Modi-Journey of a Common Man”, having 5 episodes is available on your platform. You're directed to stop forthwith the online streaming and remove all connected content of the series till further orders,” the EC told Eros Now.

In its direction, the poll panel has cited its April 10 order, banning a biopic on Modi, to place a similar bar on the web series titled "Modi - Journey of a Common Man".

Earlier, the Delhi CEO had written to the poll panel drawing its attention to the web series which went online earlier this month and is being aired without permission from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC).

The move comes days after the EC banned the screening of a biopic on the prime minister during the current poll period, saying any such film that subserves purpose of any political entity or individual should not be displayed in the electronic media.

The web series Modi: Journey of a Common Man, is currently being streamed on Eros Now platforms. Directed by Umesh Shukla of OMG: Oh My God fame, the series features actors Faisal Khan, Ashish Sharma and Mahesh Thakur, who portray Modi at different stages of his life.