Is the ban on "India’s Daughter" justified?

A lot has been said and written about Leslee Udwin’s documentary India’s Daughter which drew both flak and admiration from different quarters in India. The documentary is based on the 2012 Delhi gang rape that killed Jyoti Singh Pandey, a young medical student. She was not only repeatedly raped but was also brutally attacked to the point where her intestine was ruthlessly pulled out of her body. She died a few days later. This bone chilling act sent shock waves across the Indian capital with thousands of people taking to the street demanding justice. Of the six accused, one killed himself in his prison cell, four were sentenced to death and one- a juvenile of 17 was given a three-year-imprisonment.

The massive protest that erupted in the aftermath opened a much needed debate on the existing situation of violence against women in the Indian subcontinent. Opinion articles inundated print media. News channels aired debates on women’s security in the country. India’s Daughter is one such attempt to contribute to the ongoing discussion on protecting women from violence. However, the film was caught in controversy and was banned on March 4 before its slated release on March 8 on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

A major objection to the film is the platform given to Mukesh Singh- one of the perpetrators- whose remorseless admission of the crime was shocking to many. Even more shocking were the misogynistic statements issued by his defense lawyer, blaming the victim for the tragedy. Many in favor of the ban have opined that amplifying such detestable attitudes could be counter-intentional leaving women to fear for their safety. Some have criticized the film for portraying Indian men in negative light, while some have questioned the motive behind the making of the film without hesitating to call it voyeuristic journalism.

At the same time, many prominent public figures have openly condemned the ban. Blocking the documentary without letting the public decide whether it was worthwhile was considered to be undemocratic by many. They were of the view that the movie (which was available on youtube, despite the ban) mirrored the patriarchal mindset that perpetuated such heinous crimes and that airing it would force people to reflect on their own attitude towards women.

My take on the ban

I have watched the documentary and am personally of the opinion that the ban was uncalled for. If the views of the rapist and his lawyers were unsettling, so be it. Instead of wishing evil away, it would do well to confront it. Bring it to debate. Talk about it. Shame those people who hold such views. Change societal perception around women’s sexuality, rape and victimhood.

The good thing about the movie is the name it has given to Nirbhaya.  I was never comfortable with this pseudonym used to protect Jyoti's identity. To me it was a reinforcement of the culture of shame associated with rape. It is absurd that the victim who has done nothing wrong should be the one losing honor and not the rapist. Disclosing her identity is a tribute to the courage she demonstrated, the fight she put up.

The film has not only given name to the victim but has also told her side of the story, through the ones most affected by her death. Jyoti’s parents, despite coming from lower middle class background did not discriminate against her for being a girl. Instead they were determined to educate their daughter and give her the best life they could afford. They did not impose curfews or restrict her choice of friends. They treated her as any Indian parent would treat their son. Isn’t this a manifestation of the progressive mindset that is slowly taking over Indian society? This is something India needs to be proud of.

I am convinced that the likes of Mukesh do not represent the progressive society that India is emerging to be. There are many like Jyoti's parents who are breaking away from traditional norms of raising girls. Therefore the film must be allowed to air. If only to break negative stereotypes of Indian society abound in our collective consciousness.