The government excluded paragraphs 97-108 which raised suspicions that the government is trying to protect some big shots in the industry.
Published Aug 23, 2024 | 2:12 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 23, 2024 | 2:58 PM
Hema Commission report. Representative Image. (iStock)
A new controversy erupted in Kerala over the Justice Hema Committee Report, with allegations that the state government has selectively omitted and included information, contrary to the directions of the State Information Commission (SIC).
The SIC had earlier directed the government to remove paragraphs 96, 165-196, and the annexure from the report to protect the privacy of those deposed before the committee.
However, in the report released on 19 August — revealing the harassment faced by female actors in the Malayalam film industry — the government failed to omit paragraph 96, which states that women face sexual harassment in the film industry even from well-known personalities.
The 233-page report is released after redacting certain portions that reveal the personal information of actors. The complete version of the report is shifted to the police headquarters’ secret section, limiting its public and legal impact.
To quote from the report, para 96 stated, “On analysis of evidence placed before us, we are satisfied that women face sexual harassment even from very well-known people in the film industry, who were named before the committee. On considering the various aspects we have no reason to disbelieve what was stated before us regarding sexual harassment in the film industry.”
Ironically, the government excluded paragraphs 97-108, which were not directed to be removed by the SIC. This has raised suspicions that the government is trying to protect some big shots in the film industry.
The Opposition seized on the issue, accusing the government of cherry-picking information to suit its interests. The controversy has put the government on the back foot, with demands for clarification on why certain paragraphs were omitted or included.
The Committee was formed, after the 2017 actress assault case involving actor Dileep, to study issues of sexual harassment and gender inequality in Malayalam cinema.
The report said that female actors are usually expected to grant sexual favours to the insiders.
In a recent hearing, the Kerala High Court questioned the state government’s approach towards the report. The court raised several critical questions about the government’s plans and stance on the findings in the report and asked it to submit the full report in a sealed cover.
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