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Channels express regret for airing Gandhi video
The clarification from the channels came hours after the government took "serious exception" to news channels airing the said clips, report Chetan Chauhan and Pramit Pal Chaudhuri.
The Two Indian television channels censured by the government for airing footage depicting a man dressed as Mahatma Gandhi performing a pole-dance on Friday expressed regret, saying they telecast the capsule to expose how the “father of the nation was being insulted”.
“...Our intention is not to denigrate the honour of the father of the nation, but to ensure action on the vulgar and cheap act which is available for public view on the website for quite some time,” said a spokesman for Sahara, one of the channels that beamed the clip posted on the website youtube.Com.
Ashutosh, managing editor of IBN 7, said, “We are equally hurt and disturbed and share the outrage of fellow countrymen. We are clarifying our outrage over the incident to the viewers.”
Gautam Prasad, an Indian-American comedian, sparked a controversy in India by posting a web video of himself playing Mahatma Gandhi doing a strip dance. He said his purpose was to entertain, not offend. Prasad, Bangalore-born and Brooklyn-based, says, “I take full responsibility. I know this is a controversial topic, but my intention was not to offend.” However, he apologised for the clip later and exhorted viewers “not to watch it.” Prasad has professional entertainer’s credentials. The 29-year-old worked as a clown for two years for the best-known US circus, Ringling Brothers, and now makes a living as a stand-up comedian and a clown at private events. He also teaches yoga.
The Gandhi dance on his website www.gauthamprasad.com, is part of his comedy act at a nightclub.
Email Pramit Pal Chaudhuri: pramitpc@yahoo.com
