Kannada film body asks CM Siddaramaiah to form Hema Committee-like panel to study women’s issues in Sandalwood
The head of the producers' association says there is no need to form such a committee, and there have been no complaints in the Karnataka film industry.
3 min read
FIRE which stood with Shruthi Hariharan demanding an enquiry now has 153 members which includes actors, journalists, writers and social activists. (File/ Representational Photo)In the aftermath of the Justice Hema Committee report, a Kannada film body wrote to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday, requesting the formation of a committee to look into problems faced by women in the Kannada movie industry, also called Sandalwood. The Hema Committee report exposed sexual harassment and several other issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
The Film Industry for Rights and Equality (FIRE) called for the chief minister to appoint a committee led by a retired judge to investigate the systemic issues faced by women in the Kannada film industry, including sexual harassment. FIRE also demanded recommendations to ensure a healthy and equitable work environment for all women in the industry.
Meanwhile, Umesh Banakar, president of the Kannada Film Producers Association, flip-flopped and said there was no necessity for such a committee to be formed after initially welcoming the FIRE’s move.
In the letter to CM Siddaramaiha, FIRE said, “We propose that a retired high court or Supreme Court judge who has demonstrated a strong commitment to gender justice over her/his years of service be appointed to head the committee. FIRE is willing to assist in the selection process and be a point of contact if the government requires us to.”
FIRE said it has been advocating for survivors of sexual harassment. FIRE came into existence during the ‘MeToo’ movement when a Kannada woman actor levelled sexual harassment allegations against multi-lingual actor Arjun Sarja. The Cubbon Park police filed an FIR based on the actor’s complaint but later filed a report giving clean chit to Sarja.
FIRE, which stood with the complainant actor demanding an inquiry, now has 153 members, including actors, journalists, writers and social activists.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Banakar initially said, “On behalf of the producers association, I welcome the move as the intentions of the demands are to provide a women-friendly environment in the industry.”
However, he later said he had mistaken the Hema Committee, assuming that such a committee would be formed to check the safety of the women in the state overall, not specifically to the film industry.
“In the context of women working in the film industry, we are capable of solving their problems if any arise,” he said.
“There is no necessity to form any such committee of retired judges when it comes to the Karnataka industry. The association in the industry is strong to deal with such cases and there have been no complaints as such,” he said.
When asked about Sarja’s episode, Banakar said it went to court, and eventually, the verdict was in favour of Sarja.
Speaking to Indian Express, Kannada actor and activist Chethan Kumar said, “The Hema Committee report can be a guiding light for the film industries across the country. It is high time that the industries unite and understand the problem which has barely got any attention (women issues in film industry). There is a need for a strong environment of gender equality and regressive thinking is not going to help. We demand the state government to proactively take up steps to address the issues.”
You May Like
Photos
