Tony Blair, Prime Minister, UK: "I am opposed to racism in all its forms ...I have not seen this particular programme so I cannot comment on it."
Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, UK : "I want Britain to be seen round the world as a country of fairness and a country oftolerance. Anything detracting from this I condemn."
Keith Vaz, Labour MP: "Thousands of complaints to the regulator and Channel 4, it's right that we should raise it in parliament because people are very concerned.. I'm sorry if it gives them the oxygen of publicity but we simply cannot step aside and allow this kind of behaviour to continue...There is a very large teenage audience watching Big Brother and they will take a lead from the housemates... The language that is being used, the way in which it is being used.... Are just not acceptable in this day and age."
P Chidambaram, Finance Minister, India: "This will pass... The episode has not strained ties between the two governments and people of India andUK. I am confident that the universal condemnation of the racist remarks will result in change in behaviour of persons associated with theprogramme."
Anand Sharma, Minister of State for External Affairs: "Racist slurs and such remarks have no place in civilized society. India has throughout firmly rejected all forms of discrimination and racism."
Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, Minister for Information and Broadcasting:"The Indian Government is committed against racism. I consulted the external affairs minister and requested that the matter be verified and examined by the Indian mission in theUK."
Ministry of External Affairs, India: "The Government of India has taken up the matter with the British Government through the British High Commission in New Delhi for addressing it in accordance with British laws."
British High Commission, New Delhi: "We value greatly the role played by the British Indian community in the UK. It goes without saying that the British government deplores racism of any kind"
