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India asks BBC to apologize for offensive comments on Top Gear
13 January 2012 552 views 3 Comments BY: BNO News
LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- The Indian government has demanded an apology from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over a TV program's episode last month which mocked Indian culture.
A Christmas special of the 'Top Gear' program showed presenter Jeremy Clarkson, one of the highest paid BBC presenters known for his controversial comments, mocking Indian culture while driving around the country. Clarkson made controversial comments about India's trains, toilets, clothing, food and history.
In a letter to the program's producer, Chris Hale, and copied to Mark Thompson, director-general of the BBC, the Indian High Commission in London said the BBC was "clearly in breach of the agreement that you had entered into, completely negating our constructive and proactive facilitation."
The letter added: "The program was replete with cheap jibes, tasteless humor and lacked cultural sensitivity that we expect from the BBC. I write this to convey our deep disappointment over the documentary for its content and the tone of the presentation."
The BBC confirmed that it received at least 188 complaints about the episode and said it would directly respond to the Indian High Commission's letter. It gave no other comments.
But before Hale left for India, he reportedly informed the high commission in a letter dated July 21 that the trip was intended to be "light hearted.. focusing on the journey and the inevitable idiosyncrasies of the cars they will drive, as well as the country and the scenery we see along the way," the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
Last year, the BBC was forced to apologize to the Mexican ambassador in London after the presenters of the show made jokes of Mexican cars. The trio said the vehicles reflected characteristics of their country of origin, using the words 'lazy, feckless, flatulent and overweight.'
(Copyright 2012 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)
---------- Post added at 08:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:46 AM ----------
12 January 2012 Last updated at 10:34 ET
Top Gear India special criticised for 'toilet humour'
Clip from BBC Top Gear
Continue reading the main story
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BBC News - Top Gear India special criticised for 'toilet humour'
The 28 December special featured jokes about food and trains and a Jaguar car fitted with a toilet seat on its boot.
The HCI has written to the BBC after it was contacted by "too many people" who were "very upset" by the programme.
The BBC, which received 188 complaints about the show, said it would respond directly to the HCI in due course.
In the letter, published in the Daily Telegraph, the HCI criticised a lack of cultural sensitivity and called on the BBC to take action to pacify those offended.
One Indian diplomat told the BBC News website: "People are very upset because you cannot run down a whole society, history, culture and sensitivities.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
In the letter, we did convey our disappointment because we have a long-standing relationship with the BBC which is one of admiration and co-operation”
Indian diplomat
"India is a developing country, we have very many issues to address, all that is fine but it is not fine to broadcast this toilet humour."
He added: "There are many parts of the programme that people have complained about.
"It's not only Indians, it's also our British friends - it goes much beyond."
The diplomat cited an "offensive" banner placed on the side of a train - reading "the United Kingdom promotes British IT for your company" - which read quite differently when the carriages were parted.
And he also criticised a scene in the programme which showed Clarkson taking off his trousers at a party to demonstrate how to use a trouser press.
Showing off the customised Jaguar, complete with toilet roll on its aerial, presenter Jeremy Clarkson said on the programme: "This is perfect for India because everyone who comes here gets the trots."
In April last year, a Top Gear episode which caused controversy with jokes branding Mexicans lazy and feckless and describing Mexican food as "like sick with cheese on it", was cleared by broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.
The show attracted 157 complaints but Ofcom said Top Gear was well known for its "irreverent style and sometimes outspoken humour".
The HCI spokesman said he had yet to hear back from the BBC and added: "In the letter, we did convey our disappointment because we have a long-standing relationship with the BBC which is one of admiration and co-operation."
"I look forward to seeing some response from them."
13 January 2012 552 views 3 Comments BY: BNO News
LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- The Indian government has demanded an apology from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over a TV program's episode last month which mocked Indian culture.
A Christmas special of the 'Top Gear' program showed presenter Jeremy Clarkson, one of the highest paid BBC presenters known for his controversial comments, mocking Indian culture while driving around the country. Clarkson made controversial comments about India's trains, toilets, clothing, food and history.
In a letter to the program's producer, Chris Hale, and copied to Mark Thompson, director-general of the BBC, the Indian High Commission in London said the BBC was "clearly in breach of the agreement that you had entered into, completely negating our constructive and proactive facilitation."
The letter added: "The program was replete with cheap jibes, tasteless humor and lacked cultural sensitivity that we expect from the BBC. I write this to convey our deep disappointment over the documentary for its content and the tone of the presentation."
The BBC confirmed that it received at least 188 complaints about the episode and said it would directly respond to the Indian High Commission's letter. It gave no other comments.
But before Hale left for India, he reportedly informed the high commission in a letter dated July 21 that the trip was intended to be "light hearted.. focusing on the journey and the inevitable idiosyncrasies of the cars they will drive, as well as the country and the scenery we see along the way," the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
Last year, the BBC was forced to apologize to the Mexican ambassador in London after the presenters of the show made jokes of Mexican cars. The trio said the vehicles reflected characteristics of their country of origin, using the words 'lazy, feckless, flatulent and overweight.'
(Copyright 2012 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)
---------- Post added at 08:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:46 AM ----------
12 January 2012 Last updated at 10:34 ET
Top Gear India special criticised for 'toilet humour'
Clip from BBC Top Gear
Continue reading the main story
Related Stories
BBC News - Top Gear India special criticised for 'toilet humour'
The 28 December special featured jokes about food and trains and a Jaguar car fitted with a toilet seat on its boot.
The HCI has written to the BBC after it was contacted by "too many people" who were "very upset" by the programme.
The BBC, which received 188 complaints about the show, said it would respond directly to the HCI in due course.
In the letter, published in the Daily Telegraph, the HCI criticised a lack of cultural sensitivity and called on the BBC to take action to pacify those offended.
One Indian diplomat told the BBC News website: "People are very upset because you cannot run down a whole society, history, culture and sensitivities.
Continue reading the main story
“Start Quote
In the letter, we did convey our disappointment because we have a long-standing relationship with the BBC which is one of admiration and co-operation”
Indian diplomat
"India is a developing country, we have very many issues to address, all that is fine but it is not fine to broadcast this toilet humour."
He added: "There are many parts of the programme that people have complained about.
"It's not only Indians, it's also our British friends - it goes much beyond."
The diplomat cited an "offensive" banner placed on the side of a train - reading "the United Kingdom promotes British IT for your company" - which read quite differently when the carriages were parted.
And he also criticised a scene in the programme which showed Clarkson taking off his trousers at a party to demonstrate how to use a trouser press.
Showing off the customised Jaguar, complete with toilet roll on its aerial, presenter Jeremy Clarkson said on the programme: "This is perfect for India because everyone who comes here gets the trots."
In April last year, a Top Gear episode which caused controversy with jokes branding Mexicans lazy and feckless and describing Mexican food as "like sick with cheese on it", was cleared by broadcasting watchdog Ofcom.
The show attracted 157 complaints but Ofcom said Top Gear was well known for its "irreverent style and sometimes outspoken humour".
The HCI spokesman said he had yet to hear back from the BBC and added: "In the letter, we did convey our disappointment because we have a long-standing relationship with the BBC which is one of admiration and co-operation."
"I look forward to seeing some response from them."
