VARIOUS: The controversy over allegations of racism on Britain's Celebrity Big Brother programme makes the headlines in India and UK

Record ID: 477253

  • Title: VARIOUS: The controversy over allegations of racism on Britain's Celebrity Big Brother programme makes the headlines in India and UK
  • Date: 18th January 2007
  • Summary: (BN08) LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (JANUARY 18, 2007) (REUTERS) VARIOUS GRAPHICS SHOWING FRONT PAGES FROM BRITISH NEWSPAPERS
  • Embargoed: 2nd February 2007 12:00
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  • Topics: International Relations,Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVAE30YMBS4PDNKRKXDVFETX9DH2
  • Story Text: The controversy over allegations of racism on Britain's Celebrity Big Brother programme continues.
    Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, a contestant on hit reality television show Celebrity Big Brother, finds herself at the centre of a storm over racism and bullying that has dominated the media in Britain and in India.
    The programme has sparked protests in Britain where more than 30,000 viewers complained to the country's media watchdog.
    The contestants are oblivious to the row that has erupted over Shetty's treatment as they are cut off from the outside world while on the show, where their antics can be watched 24 hours a day.
    India has asked Britain to check whether race laws have been broken by the celebrities, incarcerated in a house and garden together where they are voted off one by one by TV viewers. Broadcaster Channel 4, whose show has been a huge ratings success, had issued a statement insisting Shetty was not suffering racial abuse but saying there had been a "cultural and class clash".
    After a row over stock cubes used in their communal cooking, Shetty's housemate Danielle Lloyd said: "She should fuck off home. She can't even speak English".
    Shetty's chief tormentor Jade Goody told her "Go back to the slums."
    British actress and fellow housemate Cleo Rocos, seeking to comfort Shetty, said of the clashes: "I don't think there's anything racist in it."
    But Shetty replied: "It is, I'm telling you." Clearly shocked, the 31-year-old actress said: "I am representing my country. Is that what today's UK is? It's scary."
    The show was front-page news in Britain and India as both cultures contemplated their shortcomings.
    Many of India's one billion people still live within a hierarchy imposed by the Hindu caste system and Muslims face widespread prejudice, being seen as the enemy within since Islamic Pakistan was carved out of British-ruled India.
    Indian TV channels have shown continuous footage of the show, in which one housemate has said she was scared to eat food prepared by Shetty because, "you don't know where those hands have been", and another referred to her as "The Indian".
    So great is the uproar that British Finance Minister Brown has spent much of his tour trying to quell Indian anger.
    "It is important for me to say that thousands of British people have phoned in ... to condemn what has happened on the Big Brother programme," Brown told a crowded news conference.
    "They, like me, are determined that we send a message worldwide that we want nothing to interfere with Britain's reputation as a country of fairness and a country of tolerance."
    Marsha Singh, British member of parliament for Bradford West said the programme highlighted that racism and bullying exists in Britain.
    "It does highlight that racism and bullying exist in this country and it's no good turning a blind eye to it, it's something we have to confront if we are going to build and keep a tolerant society that we have. I'm also worried about the international implications, I mean, how do we appear as a society, how does our country appear to the outside world now," said Singh.
    Preeta Desai, Miss Great Britain 2006, commented on the influence the programme could have on young people.
    "It's a reality show but at the end of the day there is that line again, people - young people, are watching it who are going to get influenced, who are going to see those three celebrities as role models and they are going to think its OK to go to school and bully someone, single out someone who is different so in a way it is reflecting on our young kids as well out there who are watching the show - and there are a lot of young people watch it," said Desai.
    At their home in India's commercial capital Mumbai, Shetty's parents have been supporting their daughter.
    Shetty's mother, Sunanda, said the family did not feel good to see Shetty crying on the show but her daughter was tough and she would be able to handle what she said were probably expressions of envy from other housemates.
    "As a parent, obviously we are going to miss our daughter at home and the present scenario has disturbed us, seeing her crying on television, but I am extremely overwhelmed by the kind of support she is getting not only from our country but also from the UK and worldwide. I am extremely thankful and grateful for support she is receiving and I am sure this crisis will fly by with everyone's support that she is receiving," Sunanda Shetty said on Wednesday (January 17).
    Echoing his wife's sentiments, Surendra Shetty hoped his daughter would emerge stronger from the experience.
    "She'll handle it beautifully. I know my daughter, I am confident, there is no problem whatsoever," Surendra Shetty, Shilpa's father, said.
    On Thursday (January 18) Carphone Warehouse, Europe's biggest mobile phone retailer, said it was suspending sponsorship of the programme because it did not want its name associated with claims of racist bullying.
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