India discusses with Britain on Shilpa Shetty issue

Bangalore, Jan 17 (UNI) India today expressed anguish over the racial discrimination shown to Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty by some participants of the UK reality show 'Celebrity Big Brother 2007'.

Union Commerce and Industries Minister Kamal Nath, who broached the issue with the visiting British Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, told newspersons here that India was sensitive to racial discrimination, especially with regard to the treatment meted out to the actress.

Mr Brown endorsed his views and clarified that Britain, on its part too, subscribed to views of forming an equitable society.

To a question, Mr Kamal Nath said India condemned such racial discriminations and hoped that the British society was also inclusive and would respond to India's stand positively. ''I am sure it is an isolated aberration,'' he remarked.

A section of the media had flashed news of Shilpa allegedly being made a target of racist attacks by fellow contestants, which drove her to tears, prompting the show producers to probe the matter.

UNI