Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], September 2 (ANI): United Democratic Front Chief and Leader of Opposition in Kerala, VD Satheesan on Monday-led the protest in front of the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, alleging protection of accused in the Justice Hema Committee report and Vadakara Kafir Screenshot Case.
Addressing the protest, Satheesan said that Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan has provided protection to the predators.
“Hema Committee Report is essentially a series of sexual offenses. Many sections of the report were removed because they contained the names of influential people. The Chief Minister has provided protection to the predators, leaving even the dignitaries in the film industry under a shadow of suspicion due to the government’s actions,” he said.
Earlier on Sunday, Union Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda questioned the Kerala government for delay in justice to the victims of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry after the Hema Committee report and alleged that Communist Party leaders are involved in the matter.
Last month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry was made public. It contains shocking accounts alleging harassment, exploitation, and ill-treatment of women professionals.
The 235-page report, published after redacting the names of 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 exert control over the industry.
The report of the three-member panel headed by a former judge of the Kerala High Court and set up by the state government in 2017, was submitted to the Pinrayi Vijyan-led Kerala government in December 2019, but was made public only this month.
Following the report, actor Mohanlal resigned as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) in the wake of the Justice Hema Committee report and sexual harassment allegations faced by some members of the executive committee.
On August 25, the Kerala government announced the establishment of a seven-member special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the case. (ANI)
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