Govt advises Shilpa to tell facts to Indian High Commission

New Delhi, Jan 17 (UNI) Taking a serious note of the reports of racist treatment to film actress Shilpa Shetty in a British TV reality show, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi today appealed to the actress to come out with the entire facts before the Indian High Commission for initiating action.

He also dashed off a letter to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukehrjee, urging him to take up the issue with appropriate authorities in Britian.

''I appeal to the actress to depose the actual position before the Indian High Commission so that appropriate action can be taken,'' Mr Dasmunsi told reporters here.

He also advised Ms Shetty and other actors to take appropriate authorities into confidence before entering into any kind of international agreements.

The minister said though the matter was in the domain of the External Affairs Ministry, ''but we are all strongly against racial discrimination and are very much concerned over the reported treatment to the actress.'' Asked whether the popular Bollywood diva should quit the reality show ''Big Brother'' midway, Mr Dasmunsi said ''if she thinks that what is happening to her is insulting to an Indian woman, it is for her to take this decision.'' To a query whether it would be judicious on the part of the government to meddle into an agreement that was between two private parties, the minister said the government was concerned because it involved the honour of its citizens and also because the film industry made significant contributions to the country's economy.

According to media reports, Shilpa Shetty was subjected to racist abuse on the reality show'. Over the past few days, fellow participants in the show allegedly called Shilpa 'Dog', 'Paki' and other names.

Yesterday, Leicester MP Keith Vaz moved a motion in the House of Commons against the alleged racist behaviour on the show.

The motion read, ''The House views with concern comments made about Shilpa Shetty by other housemates, believes that Big Brother has a role in preventing racist behaviour, regrets that these comments have been made and calls on the programme to take action to remind housemates that racist behaviour is unacceptable.'' UNI