Ottawa (March 5, 2015):  The World Sikh Organization of Canada is disappointed by the Government of India’s decision to ban the documentary India’s Daughter about the savage 2012 gang rape and murder of a student in Delhi.  The documentary explores the culture of rape in India as well as the background and mindset of the perpetrators of the 2012 crime that shook the country. 

Documentary India’s Daughter

Indian Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced the ban on India’s Daughter, alleging that it encourages and incites violence against women.  Charges have been filed under the Indian Penal Code under sections dealing with insult to the modesty of a woman, creating public mischief, inciting breach of peace and intent to create fear or alarm in the general public.   

The documentary was aired last night by the BBC and is scheduled to air in Canada on the CBC’s The Passionate Eye on Sundayevening, to coincide with International Women’s Day. 

WSO President, Dr. Amritpal Singh Shergill said today, “the documentary India’s Daughter provides an insightful look at the factors which contribute to India’s rape crisis.  Rather than trying to confront the culture of rape that exists in India, Indian politicians are more interested in silencing and censoring those that speak out.   India must continue to mature into a democracy that  values freedom of expression and tolerates criticism and dissent.” 

WSO Senior Vice President Kulmeet Singh Sangha said, “the experience of the filmmakers behind India’s Daughter is mirrored by that of human rights activists across India.  Serious human rights issues are ignored and those who wish to raise awareness are intimidated and muzzled.  India’s Daughter raises issues critical to the safety of India’s women.  Those issues must be discussed and debated, not swept under the carpet.”  

The WSO is a non-profit national organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of Canadian Sikhs as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights of all individuals, irrespective or race, gender, ethnicity, religion or nationality.