Revoke ban on BBC documentary: Editors Guild of India

The Editors Guild of India on Friday appealed to the government to revoke the ban on airing of the BBC documentary on the December 16, 2012 gang-rape, terming the move "wholly unwarranted".

In a statement, the Guild said the documentary, 'Storyville: India's daughter', portrayed the courage, sensibility and liberal outlook of a family traumatised by the brutality inflicted on their daughter, the continuing "shameful attitudes" towards women among the interviewed rapist as well as the educated, including the defence lawyers.

It said their rationale that the ban was in the interest of justice and public order as the film "created a situation of tension and fear amongst women".

The statement also said that the convict would use the media to further his case in the appeal that was subjudice, seems to be an after-thought.

"The message that emerges from the documentary is wholly positive and its power is such as to make people re-examine their own attitudes and the attitudes of people around them," it said.

The Guild appealed to the central government to revoke the ban and enable the people to view "the positive and powerful documentary touching on the freedom, dignity and safety of women".

The documentary, by British filmmaker Leslee Udwin, has triggered an uproar over the interview of Mukesh Singh, one of the six rapists of the 23-year-old paramedical student.