Friday, Mar 29th 2024
Trending News

In Parliament, debate on documentary on Delhi gang rape, 'India's daughter'

By FnF Correspondent | PUBLISHED: 04, Mar 2015, 13:38 pm IST | UPDATED: 04, Mar 2015, 13:38 pm IST

In Parliament, debate on documentary on Delhi gang rape, 'India's daughter'

New Delhi: The proposed screening of "India's Daughter," a documentary based on the 2012 Delhi gang-rape, triggered a debated in Parliament today.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Rajya Sabha that a restraining order had been obtained against the screening and the government would find out why permission was granted to interview a rapist.

"When I heard about the documentary I was hurt. Under no circumstances should this be telecast. So we got a restraining order from the court," Mr Singh said, adding that the government condemned it.

In the documentary, Mukesh Singh - one of the four men sentenced to death for the brutal gang-rape and killing of the young woman - has been interviewed by the filmmaker Leslee Udwin, who obtained legal permission to speak to the convict at Delhi's Tihar Jail.

Singh has blamed the woman for the rape, showing appalling remorselessness.

Earlier, women MPs from Opposition parties went into the Well of the House and forced a brief adjournment with demands for action against jail officials for allowing the interview.

But some members also questioned the move to block the documentary.

"I concede that there is an issue on who gave the permission and all that, but the reality is what the man spoke reflects the view of many men in India and why are we shying away from that? In glorifying India and (saying) we are perfect we are not confronting the issues that need to be confronted," said Anu Aga, a nominated member.

Ms Aga said banning the move was not the answer. "We have to confront the issue that men in India do not respect women and anytime there is a rape, blame is put on the woman that she was indecently dressed, she provoked the men," she said.

"It is not just the man in the prison's views but the views of many men in India. Let's be aware of it and lets not pretend that all is well," added Ms Aga, a leading name in the corporate world.

Renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar also criticized the government's decision to stop the documentary from airing.

"It's good this documentary has been made. If any one finds it objectionable, they should change their mindset," Mr Akhtar said.

The Home Minister later reiterated the government's views in the Lower House or Lok Sabha saying the government will fix responsibility on who gave the permission for the documentary.

Kirron Kher, BJP MP from Chandigarh, came out strongly against the documentary saying there is a need to tackle the problem at its root, the mindset. "What's the point of schemes like 'beti bachao' if mindsets don't change," she said.