New Delhi [India]: BJP leader V Muraleedharan on Tuesday lambasted Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for failing to act on the Hema Committee report, submitted 4.5 years ago, which exposed widespread harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.
Muraleedharan’s criticism comes after the Kerala High Court strongly rebuked the state government for its inaction, directing it to hand over the sealed report to the Special Investigative Team (SIT).Muraleedharan said, “Kerala High Court has made a very severe critical reference about the Kerala government’s stand of keeping the Hema Committee reports under wraps. The Hema committee report was submitted almost 4.5 years ago but the Kerala government chose not to act upon it. The Committee submitted the report that contains many evidence given by the people regarding the problems that they faced. “
Muraleedharan added that any individual with self-respect would have resigned from their post in light of the High Court’s criticism.
“The High Court’s reference amounts to an indictment of the failure of the Kerala home ministry, which is handled by the Chief Minister. Anybody with some self-esteem would immediately resign from the post. But the CM did not do that; instead, he said that we are the only state where a committee was appointed,” he said.
The Kerala High Court, on Tuesday, sought to know why the state did not take any action after the disclosures made in the Hema Committee report. The court has directed the state to hand over the sealed report to the Special Investigative Team (SIT).
“You have done nothing in four years except sit on the Hema Committee report,” stated the Court.
The court has also asked the government to address broader issues affecting women in society, including pay parity and lack of basic amenities in the workplace.
Apart from the sexual allegations, the court has also asked the SIT to look into other issues like pay parity, lack of basic amenities in the work space etc., that have been revealed in the Hema committee report.
The State Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists), the State Human Rights Commission have been made parties to the case. The Court has posted the matter to October 3.
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.