A documentary film about the fatal gang rape of a woman in Delhi in 2012 has been banned in India over government concerns about derogatory comments made by one of the rapists and the violation of guidelines set for filmmakers.
Leslee Udwin’s India’s Daughter features conversations with Mukesh Singh and fellow convicts who raped and tortured a 23-year-old woman on a moving bus in December 2012, sparking nationwide protests and forcing India to toughen anti-rape laws.
Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh yesterday said the documentary would not be aired in India and accused its makers of violating “permission conditions” by not showing the complete unedited footage to prison officials.
“It was noticed the documentary film depicts the comments of the convict, which are highly derogatory and are an affront to the dignity of women,” Rajnath Singh told legislators in parliament. “How was permission given to interview a rapist? It is shocking. I will get this investigated.”
In the film, Mukesh Singh blames the victim for the crime and for resisting rape. He also says that women are more responsible than men for rapes.
‘FEAR AND TENSION’
Late on Tuesday, Rajnath Singh directed Delhi police to obtain a court order prohibiting the film’s release. Police officials said the ban was imposed because Mukesh Singh’s comments could create an atmosphere of “fear and tension” that might fuel public anger.
Mukesh Singh’s comments in India’s Daughter have grabbed headlines in Indian newspapers and elsewhere, as well as sparked outrage on social media.
Yesterday, they were debated in India’s parliament.
The film had been scheduled to premiere in India and several other nations on Sunday, International Women’s Day.
‘DEEPLY SADDENED’
Udwin told reporters she was “deeply saddened” by the ban in India, but the film would be released worldwide as planned.
The British filmmaker told reporters on Tuesday that she had the necessary approvals and had given jail officials a chance to sit through hours of unedited footage, but they did not do so.
Officials later approved a pared-down version, she said.
Street protests in the wake of the December 2012 gang rape inspired Udwin to make the hour-long documentary.
Four men including Mukesh Singh were sentenced to death for the crime, but their execution was stayed on appeal by the Supreme Court of India. One defendant hanged himself in prison, while another — under 18 at the time — got three years in juvenile detention.
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