Women activists oppose airing of December 16 convict interview

Women's rights activists came out strongly on Tuesday against the airing of an interview of one of those convicted in the December 16 gang rape, terming it "totally unacceptable" and "very disturbing".

"This is very, very disturbing. The case is still pending," Akhila Shivdas of the Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) told IANS.

Women's rights activist Ranjana Kumari told the media: "This is totally unacceptable. We have to draw an ethical boundary. I do not understand why they are doing it (airing the interview)."

In shocking comments, Mukesh Singh, one of the convicts of the December 16, 2012 gang rape of the 23-year-old woman on a moving bus in Delhi, blamed the victim for the fatal sexual assault on her.

Mukesh Singh said women who go out at night had only themselves to blame if they attracted the attention of molesters.

In an interview from jail for a BBC documentary to be aired on March 8, Mukesh Singh said: "A girl is far more responsible for rape than a boy."

Former Additional Solicitor General of India Indira Jaising, in a letter to a channel which was scheduled to air the interview, said: "During the trial, police and prosecution had sought a trial in camera, so that the press could not report in proceedings in court.

"The court passed an order restraining the electronic media from entering the court room to report. The print media were responsible in their reporting, the prosecution and the police refused to address the press during and after the trial.

"It is in this context that the media is expected to play a responsible role, aiding the delivery of justice and not frustrating it."

"It also reveals how foreign journalists and filmmakers are given permission to interrogate criminals in jails which is also illegal and encourages foreigners apart from Indians to voyeurism of this kind," the letter said.

Barkha Singh, chairperson of the Delhi Commission for Women, said: "This defames the nation. How could they be given permission for interview?"

BJP parliamentarian Kirron Kher said: "Mentality needs to be changed. They don't consider women human beings."

Delhi Police on Tuesday said it was moving court against the airing of the BBC documentary interviewing the convict.