Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed disappointment on how the Kerala government sat on the Justice Hema Committee report that shed light on the issue of sexual harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP said, "I am very disappointed by the state government for sitting on the report which was submitted in 2019 by all women committee that wrote the report including Justice Hema. They did a very thorough job. They had put 69 pages with names of accusers and the accused. I am glad that a court has taken a note and asked police to file suo moto FIRs."
In an exclusive interview to CNN-News18 on August 30, Tharoor spoke about casting couch, #MeToo movement, women's safety and more.
“Male artists, actors, directors, males who call the shots (which is clearly established) on the sets have some responsibility. We had been hearing some rumours about the casting couch too in various film industries across the world and certainly across India but the women of Kerala had the courage to demand an enquiry,” Tharoor said.
Tharoor further added he was shocked how a minister said the women didn’t complain to the government but to the committee. “I was shocked when I came to know that a minister excused saying that women did not complained to the government but it was to a committee appointed by the government and it should have been taken seriously. I am sorry that five years were lost and the government did not taken any action. Finally it’s out in the open,” Tharoor said.
Tharoor said those named in the report must take moral responsibility and that they may fight in court if there weren't guilty.
"Those who had positions in AMMA, have resigned. Others also have to take moral responsibility. When an individual who did not have an authority in the system has been charged, he has every right to defend himself if he does not admit the charge. Many in my party are also asking for his resignation but he has the right to stand in court and try and clear his name. But the process should start now," Tharoor said.
Tharoor also said that the society needed to stop victim blaming. “We have to stop these patriarchal questions like why she was there, why was she on that street, we need to have police patrolling. Our women have the right to pursue their dreams and lives while feeling safe. This is a basic human right and we must fight for it,” Tharoor added.
The Justice Hema committee report was released on August 19, 2024, that sheds light on the issue of sexual harassment faced by women in the film industry. Submitted to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan five years ago, the report details the systemic exploitation, abuse of power, and lobbying that have plagued the industry for decades.
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