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Justice Hema Committee Report
Context:
The Kerala High Court ordered the state to submit the full Hema Committee report in a sealed cover on August 22, while considering a PIL for criminal action against offenders.
- The 233-page report, released on August 19, exposes severe discrimination and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.
Formation of the Committee:
- Incident Leading to Formation: On February 17, 2017, a Malayalam film actress was abducted and sexually assaulted.
- The incident, involving a prominent actor, sparked widespread outrage and scrutiny of the Malayalam film industry’s treatment of women.
- Committee Formation: The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) petitioned the Kerala Chief Minister on May 18, 2017, leading to the formation of the Justice K.Hema Committee in July 2017 to address sexual harassment and gender inequality in the industry.
Delay in Release:
- Submission and Delay: The committee submitted its 295-page report in December 2019.
- The release faced delays due to concerns over sensitive information and privacy, as well as legal challenges from affected individuals.
- Government’s Explanation: The Kerala government cited privacy and confidentiality concerns as reasons for the delay.
- Justice Hema had urged against immediate release due to the sensitive nature of the content.
Release of the Report: The report was finally released on August 19, 2024, following legal battles and directives from the Kerala State Information Commission.
- The release followed a High Court order and was redacted by 63 pages to protect privacy.
Key Findings of the Report:
- Sexual Harassment and Exploitation:
- Casting Couch: Women often face demands for sexual favours in exchange for film roles.
- Workplace Harassment: Frequent suggestive comments, and instances of men forcing themselves into women’s rooms.
- Fear of Retaliation:
- Silence and Cyber Harassment: Women are deterred from reporting harassment due to fear of retaliation, including online harassment from fan clubs.
- Male Dominance and Power:
- Industry Control: An influential all-male “mafia” controls the industry, discouraging dissent and maintaining power through intimidation.
- Lack of Basic Facilities:
- Inadequate Provisions: Women on film sets often lack basic amenities like toilets and changing rooms, risking health issues.
- Disparity in Remuneration:
- Gender Pay Gap: Lack of formal contracts leads to significant pay disparities between men and women.
- Junior Artistes’ Plight:
- Severe Exploitation: Junior artistes face harsh conditions, including long hours, lack of basic amenities, and sexual exploitation.
- Unpaid Wages and Harassment: They frequently endure delays in payments and are subject to exploitation and mistreatment.
Conclusion:
The report highlights severe issues in the Malayalam film industry, including systemic sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and exploitation, especially of junior artistes. The findings call for substantial reforms and the establishment of a dedicated authority to address grievances.