Banning Nirbhaya documentary did not target freedom of speech: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the banning of Leslee Udwin's documentary 'India's Daughter' on the Nirbhaya gangrape did not concern freedom of speech, adding that the film was banned in order to protect the identity of the victim and minimise interference with the ongoing judicial process.

"It is not a question of freedom of speech, it is more a legal question. It has two or three aspects. One aspect is that the identity of the rape victim should not be revealed which would have happened if this interview was allowed to be telecast. Two, the case is still sub judice (under judgment) and the telecast which features the interview of the person who is alleged to have committed the crime could have impacted the judicial process. Three, it is also our responsibility to ensure protection of the victim," the Time Magazine quoted the Prime Minister as saying.

"If we had allowed such a thing to happen, in effect, we would have violated the dignity of the victim. So I do not think it is a question of freedom of speech, it is more a question of law and respecting the victim and the judicial processes in this particular case," he added.

Earlier this year, the documentary about the December 16, 2012 gang-rape of the 23-year-old was banned by the government. It included an interview of Mukesh Singh, who is among the six men convicted for the gruesome crime.

Parties across the political spectrum united in the endeavour to stop its broadcast.