Patna: Former Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today (Oct 12, 2004) accused the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government at the centre of disallowing the showing of a film on Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan on Doordarshan which was due for telecast yesterday (Oct 11, 2004) as it contained portrayal of his role in the resistance against the emergency of the seventies and called for its early telecast.

In a letter faxed to Information and Broadcasting Minister Jaipal Reddy, which was also released to the press, Prasad, a BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) Rajya Sabha member, said it is indeed very sad day for democracy.

I need to remind you that in the course of our political life the ideals and commitment of JP has always been dear to us and both of us (Reddy and Prasad) in our own way had opposed the repression of emergency and campaigned for the return of democracy, he said.

It is high time the contribution of eminent Indians be viewed objectively for posterity regardless of the political divide in the country, he said and urged Reddy to personally ensure that the due of JP for the nation was not lost because of current power equation at the Centre.

The film by eminent producer and director Prakash Jha, was scheduled for telecast by Doordarshan on October 11, JP's birth anniversary.