Hema Committee: Shashi Tharoor criticises Kerala govt’s inaction on Malayalam film industry safety

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], August 20 (ANI): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday criticised the “utterly shameful” and “shocking” delay by the Kerala government in taking action on the Hema Commission report, which addresses issues within the Malayalam film industry.

“It’s utterly shameful and shocking that the government sat on this report for nearly five years and now, under duress, they’ve had to release it. They’re simply not willing to face the consequences. It seems to me that it is absolutely indispensable that action be taken. The state government ought to be ashamed of itself,” Tharoor said.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP pointed out that the Malayalam film industry has a nationwide and worldwide reputation, with very well-known directors and artists and a highly respected industry.

He said it was “unforgivable” to see such an industry tarnished in this way, having created an unsafe working environment for women and perpetuating it through acts of intimidation, blackmail.

“How can such a state allow this to happen?”… Tharoor asked stating that “This is not what Kerala is supposed to be all about.”

Further he said that “it takes a lot for a woman to come and give a complaint, and those women who have come and given a complaint have taken, in very many ways, their own reputation and their own careers into their hands, but they’ve done so because they believe it’s important that these facts be aired…”

The Congress MP said that the Hema Commission report needs full airing, full discussion, and to be acted upon and it doesn’t matter which influential heads are going to have to roll or which people are going to have their reputations affected by this.

“We have been proud of being a state that empowered its women, the first place in the entire world to educate girls at the primary level going back over 200 years. How can such a state allow this to happen?…” Tharoor asked.

“…it takes a lot for a woman to come and give a complaint, and those women who have come and given a complaint have taken, in very many ways, their own reputation and their own careers into their hands, but they’ve done so because they believe it’s important that these facts be aired,” Tharoor said.

Former Minister of State V Muraleedharan called it a “serious situation,” and demanded that state cultural minister Saji Cherian should resign.

“Cinema and cultural affairs minister Saji Cherian and former minister AK Balan had severe lapses in taking actions against those who committed sexual harassment, including POCSO charges. Concerned people had tried to protect the culprits. Cultural minister Saji Cherian should resign from his post.”

“The present minister doesn’t have the moral authority to continue in power. Saji Cherian who was trying to protect these culprits should be removed from power,” Muraleedharan said.

“The common people of Kerala wanted to know why WCC is silent after the committee report came out,” he said.

The Justice Hema Committee report on harassment faced by women in Malayalam cinema industry released on August 19 has recorded shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation and ill-treatment of women professionals.

The 235-page report, published after redacting the names of the witnesses as well as the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is under the clutches of the about 10 to 15 male producers, directors and actors who are in the forefront and control the industry.

The committee’s report confirms the rumoured existence of the practice of “casting couch” in the industry. It is based on testimonies from 51 industry professionals, reveals shocking details about the exploitation of women, including the existence of casting couches and poor working conditions.

It states that harassment begins at the outset, with women being asked to make “adjustments” and “compromises”-euphemisms for sexual favours-to secure roles.

The Committee also found that women are denied basic human rights, such as access to toilets and changing rooms, even on sets. Women often have to find secluded spots to change or use the bathroom during outdoor shoots, with no access to water or basic facilities.

The Hema Committee was formed in response to a 2017 sexual assault case involving an actor and submitted its report to the Chief Minister on December 31, 2019. The report’s findings highlight the need for urgent reforms to protect women in the Malayalam film industry.