Ernakulam (Kerala) [India], August 26 (ANI): The Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan, has strongly criticised the state government for a five-year delay in publicising the Hema Committee report, which exposed rampant sexual exploitation, illegal bans, and inhumane working conditions in the Malayalam film industry.
Satheesan alleged that the government has been “hiding” the report for nearly five years and accused the state administration of attempting to “protect the culprits.”
Speaking to ANI about the report, Satheesan said, “The government has been concealing the report for nearly five years. Many actresses working in the Malayalam film industry have lodged complaints with the committee, and their testimonies are documented. The report, along with a pen drive containing the evidence and WhatsApp messages, has been with the government for nearly five years.”
The Opposition Leader stated that the report clearly shows a series of offences have been committed and criticised the government for delaying action based on the victims’ testimonies.
“Unfortunately, the government has long been aware that a series of offences have occurred. This report, prepared on the basis of the victims’ testimonies, is accurate and authentic. Now, after nearly five years, the report has surfaced. We demand that the government constitute an investigation team comprising senior women IPS officers. Yesterday, the government did form a team, but the press note from the Chief Minister’s Office of Kerala does not mention the Hema Committee by name. Instead, it vaguely refers to women giving interviews and statements about the abuse they suffered in the film industry. This needs thorough investigation,” he said.
Satheesan further alleged that the government is unwilling to investigate the allegations in the report. “It is evident that the government is trying to protect the culprits. When the report was disclosed, the government tampered with it by omitting nearly 120-117 paragraphs. They are clearly trying to shield the perpetrators in this case,” he added.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan declined to comment on the report but expressed his support for the state government’s stance. He mentioned that the Chief Minister has assured action if victims come forward with specific complaints.
“The Chief Minister has publicly stated that if victims come forward with specific complaints, the legal process will be initiated. I trust what the Chief Minister has said and refrain from further comment since this matter does not fall under my purview. However, I believe that if the victims file complaints against the perpetrators, the process of law will indeed be set in motion,” he said.
The Kerala government has constituted a special investigation team, led by senior police officer IGP G Sparjan Kumar, to probe the allegations of sexual exploitation mentioned in the Hema Committee report. The team includes four women IPS officers and two senior police officials and will operate under the supervision of Crime Branch ADGP H Venkatesh.
Last week, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on the harassment faced by women in the Malayalam film industry was made public. It contains shocking accounts of harassment, exploitation, and mistreatment of women professionals.
The 235-page report, published after redacting the names of the witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors, and actors who dominate and influence the industry. (ANI)
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