India imposes broadcast ban on interview with unrepentant rapist
Indian authorities have moved to ban broadcast of a shocking documentary interview in which one of the rapists behind the gang rape of a woman on a Delhi bus blamed his victim for fighting back during his assault.
Mukesh Singh was filmed by the BBC for a documentary looking at attitudes toward women in the sub-continent but added insult to injury by attempting to defend his actions by pinning blame on his victim.
During nine minutes of interview Singh says: “A girl is far more responsible for rape than a boy,"adding: "A decent girl won't roam around at 9 o'clock at night. ... Housework and housekeeping is for girls, not roaming in discos and bars at night doing wrong things, wearing wrong clothes."
Indian authorities, highly sensitive to the damage this and other similar incidents are doing to the nation’s image, approved an injunction order served by the police to block its transmission however.
A BBC spokesperson said: “This harrowing documentary, made with the full support and co-operation of the victim's parents, provides a revealing insight into a horrific crime that sent shock waves around the world and led to protests across India demanding changes in attitudes towards women.
"The film handles the issue responsibly and we are confident the programme fully complies with our editorial guidelines."
India’s Daughter was scheduled to air simultaneously on BBC Four and India’s NDTV 24x7 to mark International Women’s Day.