Karnataka Women's Commission to meet Sandalwood actors to probe #MeToo charges

The Karnataka Women’s Commission is stepping up to address the ongoing #MeToo movement by planning a meeting with Sandalwood actors to investigate allegations of sexual harassment in the industry. This initiative aims to gather evidence and statements from actors and other key figures to substantiate claims and ensure a thorough investigation.

Inspired by the bold actions of Malayalam actresses, who fought for justice following similar allegations, members of the Kannada film industry have now sought intervention from Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah.

On Thursday, actors Chetan Ahimsa, Neetu Shetty, and Shruthi Hariharan met with the CM, submitting a letter urging him to probe sexual harassment cases in Sandalwood. Backed by 153 industry members, including prominent actors like Kiccha Sudeep and Ramya, the letter also called for the appointment of a committee led by a retired judge, similar to Kerala's Hema Committee.

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The group, Film Industry for Rights & Equality (FIRE), led by activist Kavita Lankesh, is pushing for stricter measures to prevent sexual abuse in the workplace and promote equity. Their letter emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation into the systemic issues faced by women in the Kannada film industry, including sexual harassment, and demanded policies to ensure a safe and fair work environment.

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Meanwhile, the Telugu film industry is urging the release of the Voice of Women report submitted two years ago. In Tamil Cinema, a new committee—the Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC)—was recently established to handle sexual offense cases. The committee’s resolution includes issuing a warning to offenders, with further actions to follow, including a potential five-year ban from the film industry for those found guilty.