March 05, 2015

India has a chance to lead by example

editor:	Neelo Aysha Scholz

Still on the subject of rape here at fairplanet, the British filmmaker of the commanding Delhi gang rape we spoke of on 03.03 has been told to pack up and leave India and her film banned from broadcast, at least domestically. “We can ban the film in India. But this is an international conspiracy to defame India. We will see how the film can be stopped abroad too” declared the Parliamentary affairs minister.

The documentary, India’s daughter, is about the notorious gang rape of Jyoti Singh on a moving Delhi bus, and the public reaction in the aftermath. In an interview, the film reveals the lack of remorse and deplorable attitude of at least one of the rapists. News broke two days ago over his comments that the girl may have still been alive had she not fought her attackers back. He seems to blame her for not being a ‘decent girl’. India’s decision to ask Leslie to leave and block her broadcast followed. The authorities intend to ban it worldwide and on any media possible.

Udwin describes the documentary as “an impassioned plea for gender equality…” and iterated that rape is a global issue. She explained to Indian broadcaster, NDTV that the men and women who had taken to the streets after the incident had inspired the film.

She has found vocal support in India such as Anu Aga, an MP who says what the rapist, Mukesh Singh, said on film reflects the views of many men in India and Sunitha Krishnan, a campaigner against rape, who says the film is a platform for collective condemnation of such mindsets.

The traditional approach to sexual assault and rape of women and minors in many parts of the world is to sweep it under the rug. In India and Pakistan, out of fear of bringing shame to the parties involved, women are forced to hide the incident and get on with their lives by their families. The government’s actions now are a magnified reflection of this approach. The message that men get then, is that sexual violence towards women is acceptable and that women have little choice in the matter.

India, the world’s largest democracy and up and coming player on the world stage has no place for such outdated, unacceptable attitudes. Open discourse is a tenet of democracy and in this case, a crucial first step in tackling a shameful attitude. Indian mothers, fathers, teachers, boys, girls and men need to know that men do not deserve protection from society when they have perpetuated casual or serious sexual violence. The Government of India needs to allow for this public discourse and take responsibility to address the unacceptable culture endemic in their country. In tackling this issue openly, they may even lead by example on the world stage.

Storyville- India’s daughter will be broadcast on BBC 4 in the UK on March 8, 2015.