Kochi: BJP leader V. Muraleedharan has sharply criticized Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for failing to act on the Hema Committee report, which was submitted 4.5 years ago and exposed widespread harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry. This criticism comes in the wake of a strong rebuke from the Kerala High Court, which has directed the state government to hand over the sealed report to a Special Investigative Team (SIT).
Muraleedharan condemned the Kerala government’s inaction, stating, "The Kerala High Court has severely criticized the government for keeping the Hema Committee report under wraps. Despite the report being submitted nearly 4.5 years ago, the government has failed to act on it. The report contains significant evidence regarding the problems faced by individuals in the industry." He further remarked, "Any person with self-respect would have resigned from their position following such criticism from the High Court. However, the Chief Minister has not taken any responsibility. Instead, he has claimed that our state is the only one to have appointed such a committee."
The Kerala High Court, in its recent order, questioned the state’s lack of action on the Hema Committee report and has mandated the transfer of the sealed report to the SIT. The court has also directed the government to address broader issues affecting women, including pay parity and lack of basic workplace amenities. "You have done nothing in four years except sit on the Hema Committee report," the court stated. In addition to the sexual harassment allegations, the SIT has been instructed to investigate other issues such as pay disparity and inadequate workplace conditions revealed in the report.
The Kerala High Court has also included the State Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), and the State Human Rights Commission as parties to the case. The matter has been scheduled for further hearings on October 3. Last month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report was made public, revealing disturbing accounts of harassment, exploitation, and mistreatment of women in the Malayalam film industry.
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