India’s daughter is the documentary film made by a documentary by Leslee Udwin (part of BBC’s ongoing Storyville series) has been banned in India by the supreme courts of India. According to the sources “the government attempts to restrain the BBC from airing a documentary on rape, built around the story of the December 2012 Delhi gangrape victim “Nirbhaya” are pointless. It has effectively given BBC the opportunity to get higher viewership for their film, titled “India’s Daughter”, whose selling point is obviously the misogynist statements of the rapists and their lawyers who were interviewed for it. “This harrowing documentary, made with the full support and cooperation of the victim’s parents, provides a revealing insight into the horrific crime that sent shock waves around the world and led to protests across India demanding changes in attitudes towards women.”
INDIA’s DAUGHTER is the story of the short life, and brutal gang rape and murder in Delhi in December 2012 of an exceptional and inspiring young woman. The rape of the 23 year old medical student by 6 men on a moving bus, and her death, sparked unprecedented protests and riots throughout India and led to the first glimmers of a change of mindset. Interwoven into the story line are the lives, values and mindsets of the rapists whom the film makers have had exclusive and unprecedented access to interview before they hang. The film examines the society and values which spawn such violent acts, and makes an optimistic and impassioned plea for change.
Though authorities called for Leslee Udwin’s documentary to be banned in India, it was widely-viewed and shared by many online on Friday. Millions took to social media to share their views on the film that recounted the harrowing story of the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape and the ban of the documentary. Goans have also expressed their outlook on the controversy hash-tagging #IndiasDaughter against their views.
“My heart bleeds today… for now I know that cows are more important than women here,” posted Pranay Purohit, “It’s a cow that gave them birth, helped bring them up and made them capable of being able to stand in this world. I hope no woman gives birth to a woman henceforth, why should she? So they can curse her, torture her, taunt her and then one fine day, find out that her daughter has been raped and killed?” Commending the BBC for their efforts, he added, “Thank you #BritishBroadcastingChannel. Play this documentary as much as you can, every day, week after week. Let people know about #IndiasDaughter”.
Flexcia D’souza, a student, posted, “India’s Daughter was screened in class today. What culture are they (lawyers) talking about? Suppressing women? Taking away her freedom on the pretext of protecting her? ‘If she didn’t fight back and had let them rape her she would be fine’, he (the rapist) says. Indians have reached Mars, but their minds are buried deep beneath the surface of earth. I’m ashamed to be a part of a society that has no respect for women and makes no effort to change the system”.
The documentary, which was aired on BBC Four, was accessible to Indian viewers via YouTube, sparking an uproar of opinions. Expressing her views on the government’s futile attempt to ban the film, PR professional, Aishwarya Nair, posted, “I think now the government should just stop trying” #IndiasDaughter”.
Further expressing her views, she said, “People should be made aware of what the girl went through. The documentary evidently shows that the driver has no remorse which is something we wouldn’t have known otherwise. The mindset of their lawyers has also been revealed. They are equally guilty for objectifying women; all the years of education are a waste on them”.
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