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| Rascist attacks on Indian actress turn into major row | | | LONDON|JAN 17
The racist attacks on Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has snowballed into a major row, with the issue being raised in British Parliament and some of her fellow contestants who allegedly taunted her in a reality TV show receiving emailed threats.
Labour MP Keith Vaz, who tabled an early day motion in the House of Commons on the issue yesterday, said "the language that is being used, the way in which it is being used.... Are just not acceptable in this day and age."
NRI TV actress Meera Syal led an unprecedented wave of criticism against Channel 4 over the alleged racist attacks on Shilpa in the reality TV serial 'Celebrity Big Brother.' Big Brother is Channel 4's most popular show.
Syal, the star of chat show 'The Kumars At No 42' weighed into the row, as Ofcom, UK's media watchdog, said nearly 8,000 viewers have complained that Shilpa was being bullied by other contestants including Jade Goody, a previous participant of the non-celebrity version of the show. Channel 4 received a further 2,000 complaints.
UK's Hertfordshire police said "two emails have been received by the TV studios that contain unspecified threats against a number of the housemates. Police are currently looking into the emails." The police also said they "received one complaint about alleged racist behavior" on the show.
31-year-old Shilpa broke down in tears on Monday after allegedly being taunted about her skin colour, accent and cooking.
Ofcom chiefs said tapes of the incidents would be scoured and complaints carefully investigated.
Viewers were appalled as Shilpa was mocked for bleaching her facial hair by Goody, 25, disgraced Miss England Danielle Lloyd, 23, and former S Club 7 singer Jo O'Meara, 27.
Lloyd said, "She wants to be white."
Shilpa, one of the nine celebrities taking part in the reality show, is being targetted by some housemates because she is Indian, according to the complaints.
The contestants have been locked up in a house since Jan two and are being filmed on how well they handle the frictions of daily life and get their fellow housemates' votes of confidence.
"There is a very thin line between what is entertainment and a vile spectacle and I think we are in that area now. What this treatment of Shilpa has done is remind a lot of Asian people in Britain of the type of uncomfortable treatment they've received themselves over the years," Syal said.
"This is bullying and we mustn't forget the impressionable people who watch this show," she said.
Syal, 45, an author, playwright, actress and comedian, was made an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 1997, largely due to her efforts in supporting the rights of Asian women.
"I have great admiration for the way Shilpa has handled herself. But Channel 4 has been obviously rubbing their hands at the audience figures because everybody is talking about it now," she said.
In a show of support from fans, Shilpa has risen to second favourite to win the Celebrity Big Brother title behind comedy actress Cleo Rocos.
Shilpa's mother had heard about the situation from friends in Britain and was "upset". |
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