Congress MP Shashi Tharoor spoke to News18 about the Justice Hema Committee report and the Me Too movement of the Kerala film industry. (Image: PTI)
In an exclusive interview to CNN-News18, Tharoor said that he was surprised how the minister said that the woman did not complain to the government but to the committee, as an excuse.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Friday expressed his dismay at the way the Kerala government sat on the Justice Hema Committee report which spoke about the horrors faced by actresses and women employees in the Malayalam film industry. In an exclusive interview to CNN-News18, Tharoor said he was surprised how the minister said the woman did not complain to the government but to the committee.
“Male artists, actors, directors, men who create images (which are clearly defined) on the sets have the responsibility. We have also heard some rumors about casting sofas in various film industries around the world and certainly in India, but Kerala women have the courage to ask questions,” Tharoor said.
Hitting out at the Kerala government, Thiruvananthapuram MP said, “I am very disappointed with the state government for completing the report submitted in 2019 by the all women committee who wrote the report including Justice Hema. They have done a very thorough job. They have put 69 pages with the names of the the prosecution and the accused.I am glad that the court has taken note and asked the police to file an FIR suo moto.
“I was surprised when I learned that a minister said that women do not complain to the government, but to the committee appointed by the government and it should be taken seriously. I am sorry that five years have passed and the government has not done anything. Finally it is out in the open ,” Tharoor added.
When asked about the resignation of CPI(M) MLA Mukesh, who is facing charges of rape and sexual assault, Tharoor said that those named should be held morally responsible, adding that they can fight in court if they are found not guilty.
“Those who hold positions in AMMA, have resigned. Others must also be morally responsible. When individuals who have no authority in the system have been accused, they have the right to defend themselves if they do not admit to the accusations. Many in my party have also requested resign but he has the right to stand in court and try to clear his name. But the process should start now,” Tharoor said.
‘Must Stop Questioning Patriarchy’
Talking about the issue of women’s safety, Tharoor said that while laws need to be implemented, society also needs to change. “We need to do some basic and branch investigations about ourselves as a society. When I was a minister, I insisted on general sensitivity training for boys at a young age (like 6 years old) so that they understand the importance of respecting women. Try and check that at every stage, we have institutional arrangements to protect women’s interests – whether it’s having separate toilets, in hospitals or having separate rest areas,” Tharoor said.
He added that the community should stop blaming the victims and have more patrols and security. “We have to stop patriarchal questions like why are they there, why are they on that street, we have to patrol the police. Our women have the right to pursue their dreams and live when they feel safe. This is a human right and we have to fight for it,” he said. Congress MP.
Hema Judiciary Committee Report
The report of the three-member Hema Justice Committee, which was formed in 2017, was released on August 19, 2024. The report highlighted the persistence of practices like sofa casting in the Malayalam film industry, where women are often pressured to provide sexual assistance to secure. role or order which is blacklisted.
After the release of the report, several women in the Kerala film industry have spoken out and big names including MLA Mukesh, actor Siddiqui, Jayasurya, director Ranjith and others have been accused of sexual misconduct.
