BJP takes on Tharoor over 'govt. embarrassed' remark

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday hit back at Shashi Tharoor over his remark that the government embarrassed India by asking UK to ban the Nirbhaya documentary, saying the Centre took up this issue in a most mature manner and reminded the Congress leader that the restraint order has been put in place by Delhi's magisterial court.

BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said Tharoor is entitled to hold his personal views but the party to which he belongs to holds a different view.

"We had seen in the Parliament when this whole issue was discussed how parliamentarians across the party lines had said that there has to be a restraint order on this documentary. And more everyone, the people from the Congress and other political parties also wanted that an inquiry should be set up as to who gave the permission and how the interview was shot," said Patra.

"The government, looking into the sensibility and sensitivity of the issue, took up the issue in a most mature manner. And today, when Mr. Shashi Tharoor speaks contrary to it, he should also be reminded of the fact that this restraint order has been put in place by magisterial court of Delhi," he added.

Tharoor had earlier criticized the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government for asking the United Kingdom to ban Nirbhaya documentary on the December 16, 2012 gang-rape-murder case. Tharoor said the government embarrassed the country by its move and all men should watch the documentary.

The documentary made by British filmmaker Leslee Udwin features the interview of one of the convicts of the Delhi gangrape, Mukesh Singh, who held women more responsible than men for rape.