Why “India’s Daughter” Should Be Seen in India

Indian courts tried blocking “India’s Daughter,” the BBC film on the 2012 gang rape and murder of a physiotherapy student on a city bus, from a global showing. “As Indian government officials drummed up publicity for the film in a way that was beyond the wildest imagination of any marketing executive – calling for its global ban, complaining about defaming India, worrying about impact on tourist dollars – the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) brought forward its telecast by four days, to capitalize on the curiosity the film has aroused worldwide,” writes columnist Salil Tripathi for LiveMint.com. The most controversial aspect of the film is an unusual interview with one convicted rapist, sentenced to death, who calmly justifies raping the 23-year-old student because she was out in the evening. While the film-maker wanted show a mindset that leads to rape, the government is outraged because of the effect on international perceptions of India. Tripathi questions the film’s narrow focus on a single case yet urges its showing in India: “many of our relatives, teachers, principals, politicians, police officers, religious leaders, khap panchayat leaders, and community elders have views remarkably similar to [those of the accused] – about what women can wear, what they should do, when they can go out, and with whom.” Thousands of Indians turned out to protest better treatment for women in 2012. The accused appeal their death sentences. – YaleGlobal