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To say that Leslee Udwin’s documentary, India’s Daughter has created an uproar is an understatement.The documentary recounts the brutal rape and murder of the 23 year-old medical student, Jyoti Singh on a bus in Delhi back in 2012. On March 4th, BBC released India’s Daughter four days ahead of schedule after the Indian government made objections to the film, citing that Udwin had violated numerous technical requirements and that the film has material that glorifies violence against women.
India’s Daughter has split the nation with differing opinions as to what should be done with the film. Some believe the ban on the film is the right thing, while others believe it’s an impediment on free speech. The government’s stance seems to stem from the opinion that the film is an embarrassment to the nation, however, there are many Indians that would say that the government’s reaction to the film is the embarrassment. The Bharatiya Janta Party (B.J.P) stated that the documentary is “an international conspiracy to defame India”, and that it will affect tourism. Supporters of the ban say that the documentary has given a platform to the rapist and others say that the documentary paints sexual violence as an Indian issue rather than a global one. As for the discourse that the rapist, Mukesh Singh had in the documentary, it is nothing that members of the government and religious leaders have not already said.
Jyoti Singh’s parents believe that the documentary should be watched by all. They want their daughter’s name to be known and believe that she has become a symbol and that she definitely has. The protests after her gruesome rape have sparked a movement to fight violence against women.
What are your thoughts on what has been going on surrounding the documentary? Are you for or against the ban? Let us know in the comment section below.
