Netizens trolled Manju Warrier believing she is the WCC founder member who is getting more offers, as mentioned in the Justice Hema Committee Report.
Published Aug 23, 2024 | 11:40 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 23, 2024 | 11:40 AM
Manju Warrier seconds WCC post condemning cyber attacks against female actors. (Facebook)
Malayalam actor Manju Warrier has supported the latest statement issued by the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) condemning the cyber attacks against women actors in the industry.
In a social media post, the WCC condemned the cyber attacks and disparaging comments made against senior women artistes, including a founding member mentioned in the redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee Report.
Sharing the WCC’s social media post, Manju Warrier wrote: “Much needed clarification”.
It all began with the Justice Hema Committee stating in its report that the “only member of WCC who is getting several offers in cinema is its founder member”.
“She is the only woman who repeatedly said there is no problem for women in cinema and that she had not even heard about any sexual harassment against any woman in cinema, etc., which is far from true. In this context, if her evidence is analysed, we are persuaded to believe that she is deliberately not speaking against men or the industry only because of her selfish motive not to be ousted from the Malayalam industry,” the report said.
After this statement from the report went viral, netizens assumed that Manju Warrier was the founding member of the WCC, as mentioned by the Justice Hema Committee report. Making things worse, they trolled her for being “selfish” and “not thinking of the female actors being exploited in the industry”.
In her social media posts promoting her latest outing Footage, a few netizens made derogatory comments against Manju Warrier, citing the Justice Hema Committee Report.
Following this, the WCC released a statement on social media. In the statement, it hoped that the seriousness and gravity of the atrocities mentioned in the Justice Hema Committee Report would be given the due attention they deserve while understanding the historical reasons for the existence of misogyny in cinema.
The organisation also urged for immediate steps to be taken to address these burning issues. Further, the WCC appreciated the public support for survivors after the release of the 255-page report.
However, the organisation strongly condemned the cyber attacks and belittling comments made against senior women artistes, including a founding member of WCC. The remarks undermined a woman’s professional journey and experience, especially when they stood in solidarity with survivors, the WCC noted.
“The WCC believes every member has the right to speak about one’s individual experience without fear. Throughout our history, many women have carved their own space in this film industry through hard work and their talent and shone like beacons despite many challenges,” the WCC said.
“When a civil society recognises that women are victimised in their workplaces, we cannot stand by while some elements of society use that same information to stone and demean female professionals. This only illustrates the attitude of such commenters towards women in this industry,” the statement added.
The WCC observed that such acts were punishable according to cyber laws and the laws of the land will address such instances of cyber abuse or defamation.
The organisation appealed to everyone to use this opportunity to understand the issues at hand, as exposed by the Justice Hema Committee report. It also requested people to speak up against atrocities and bring about the change required to ensure a discrimination-free and safe workplace in the Malayalam film industry.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
