India protests to BBC over flagship Top Gear programme

Jan 12, 2012, 16:38 GMT

London - The Indian government has complained to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) over a 'disgusting episode' in a TV film shot in India for its flagship Top Gear motoring programme.

The 90-minute India special shows Jeremy Clarkson, the programme's presenter, describing a car fitted with a toilet in the boot as 'perfect for India because everyone who comes here gets the trots.'

The film also showed Clarkson scantily dressed in his boxer shorts and flashed images of slogans on trains, such as 'British IT is good for your company' and 'Eat English muffins.'

Raja Sekhar of the Indian High Commission in London said a letter had been sent to the BBC to 'convey our strong disappointment.'

'We were very actively helping out facilitating the visit but they ran down the whole society, culture and people. It's really disgusting,' said Sekhar.

'We have a very close relationship with and respect for the BBC. The BBC is probably more admired in India than in England so we feel a bit let down.'

A BBC spokeswoman said: 'We have received a letter from the Indian High Commission and will respond to them in due course.'

Clarkson has got into trouble before, most recently in November when he suggested to 'shoot' British trade union supporters who took part in a day of protest against the government's economic policies.

He said the remark was meant as a joke.

The BBC was forced to apologize to the Mexican ambassador in London last year after Mexican cars were described by Clarkson as reflecting national characteristics, being 'lazy, feckless, flatulent.'

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