New Delhi, Oct 13 (IANS) The central government Wednesday continued to face criticism for its reported curbs on a film on socialist messiah Jayaprakash Narayan, with Information and Broadcasting Minister S. Jaipal Reddy being reminded of his own allegiance to the leader, popularly known as JP.

Reddy's predecessor, Ravi Shankar Prasad of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), wrote to him reminding him of their shared commitment to the JP movement of the 1970s and urged him to protect the legacy regardless of his current political affiliation.

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

"It is time the contribution of eminent Indians be viewed objectively for posterity regardless of the political divide in the country."

The letter was a response to reports that noted filmmaker Prakash Jha's bio-pic on JP was not aired on his birth anniversary Monday as the ruling Congress opposed it due to the negative portrayal of the emergency rule of 1975 imposed by then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

Indira Gandhi, the slain mother-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, had at the time imprisoned scores of political opponents and imposed severe curbs on the media, a dark episode that rivals continue to fling at the Congress.

"The film cannot be aired in its present form," said K.S. Sarma, CEO of state-owned broadcaster Prasar Bharati. Filmmaker Jha has reportedly been asked to make a dozen changes before the film can pass.

Expressing a great sense of "unease, distress and pain", Prasad reminded Reddy that attachment to the ideals of JP transcended party affiliations.

"Any authentic portrayal of JP would have to include his seminal contribution in the resistance against emergency and the return of democracy."

The former minister added: "I earnestly hope that you personally ensure that the due of JP for the nation is not lost because of the current power equation of the central government."