Kerala Forms SIT to Probe Justice Hema Committee Findings on Malayalam Film Industry Exploitation

Aug 25, 2024, 02:09 PM

The Justice Hema Committee report has unveiled severe issues of sexual exploitation and gender-based discrimination in the Malayalam film industry, identifying nearly 17 kinds of exploitations. The report, which was initiated by the Kerala government in 2017 following a high-profile abduction incident, reveals that women in the industry often face demands for sexual favors in exchange for roles, and those who refuse face severe repercussions. Following the release of the report, the Kerala government has formed a 7-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe these allegations and conduct a preliminary inquiry into the accusations against several prominent figures in the industry. The SIT, which includes senior women police officers, aims to address the widespread human rights violations highlighted in the report. The formation of the SIT comes amid growing public outrage and calls for accountability, as the report has sparked a nationwide debate on the treatment of women in the film industry.