Hema Committee Report: More Malayalam Film Industry Bigwigs To Be Named? NCW Seeks Full Disclosure Of Details

Hema Committee Report: The NCW has expressed concerns over the findings which highlight allegations of sexual harassment within the Malayalam Film Industry. The NCW said it has taken steps to obtain the complete report.

Kochi: Mahila Congress workers stage a protest against actors Mukesh, Ganesh Kumar, Siddique and others after the Justice Hema Committee report revealed instances of sexual harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.

Source : PTI

Hema Committee Report: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has expressed serious concerns over the findings of the Hema Committee Report, which highlights significant issues within the Malayalam Film Industry. In a press note issued on Saturday, the NCW emphasised its commitment to safeguarding women's rights and ensuring that laws designed to promote equality and development are enforced. The Commission has taken steps to obtain the complete Hema Committee Report, as only portions of it have been made public so far.

The NCW's statement read, "It has come to the notice of the National Commission for Women (NCW) that there are concerning issues within the Malayalam Film Industry, as highlighted in the Hema Committee Report. The NCW, in accordance with its responsibilities under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, remains dedicated to overseeing matters related to the protection of women's rights and ensuring the enforcement of laws designed to support equality and development."

"The Commission has observed with concern the findings of the Hema Committee Report, which have been discussed in various media outlets. The report points to serious issues such as workplace harassment, gender-based discrimination, and other forms of exploitation that adversely affect women in the Malayalam Film Industry," it noted.

"In response to these concerns, the NCW has taken steps to seek the complete Hema Committee Report, as it appears that only parts of it are currently available in the public domain. The Commission is committed to furthering its efforts in addressing these matters with the appropriate authorities to ensure that the rights of women are upheld and that a safe, equitable working environment is fostered within the industry," it further added.

Hema Committee Report Row

In a related development, prominent actor Mohanlal broke his silence on the shocking revelations of the report, which has shaken the Malayalam film industry. Speaking to reporters for the first time since the report's release, Mohanlal acknowledged the gravity of the issues raised, stating that "the entire industry is answerable to the questions raised, but the actors' association is targeted and blamed for everything." He pointed out that Malayalam cinema is a vast industry where thousands of people work, and that the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), of which he was recently president, could not address every issue that arises, news agency PTI reported.

Mohanlal, who resigned as the president of AMMA in the wake of allegations against the association, stated that his delayed response was due to his absence from the state because of personal and professional commitments. He expressed his pain in addressing these unfortunate issues, noting that he had deposed before the Hema Committee twice but was unaware of the report's content beyond what had been reported in the media. He also denied any knowledge of or involvement in any so-called "power group" within the Malayalam cinema industry.

The report's release has led to widespread protests across Kerala, with outrage growing over the accounts of sexual abuse shared by several female actors. The Leader of the Opposition, V D Satheesan, accused the CPI(M)-led government of shielding the culprits, including actor-politician Mukesh, who stands accused of rape, PTI reported.

Protests were particularly intense in Kochi and Kollam, where Mahila Congress activists demanded Mukesh's resignation and a thorough investigation into the allegations. Demonstrators in Kochi expressed their anger by beating effigies of Mukesh, Sidhique, and Ranjith, all accused of sexual assault, with brooms. In Kollam, a protest march was held outside Mukesh's residence, with activists calling for his immediate resignation as MLA.

Satheesan alleged that a "power group" within the ruling CPI(M), led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, is protecting the accused, as per PTI. He criticised the government for its lack of legal action following the courageous testimonies of survivors to the Justice Hema Committee. "What is happening is a gross violation of the justice system," Satheesan asserted, demanding the resignation of Mukesh and a thorough investigation as recommended by the Hema Committee report.