Taking cognisance of the alleged sexual exploitation of women in the Telugu film industry based on media reports about the protest of a film actress, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Thursday issued notices to the Telangana government and the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The commission directed the Telangana Chief Secretary and the Secretary, I&B Ministry, to present a report on the matter within four weeks.
Six days ago, a television anchor-turned-actress staged a sit-in demonstration in semi-nude condition at the Telugu Film Chambers office here in Banjara Hills alleging that Telugu women were being denied roles in Telugu films. Later, during interviews to Telugu TV news channels she alleged that women were being sexually exploited in the Telugu film industry and a woman would not get adequate role unless she gave in to the demands of bigwigs in the industry.
The commission said it had learnt that a case against the actress was registered under Section 294 of Indian Penal Code. “ ....but it is nowhere mentioned, if action on the serious allegations of casting couch and sexual harassment, levelled by her, has been taken by the authorities,” the NHRC observed.
It also described registration of case against her as “an attempt to muzzle the voice of whistleblower, both by the MAA [Movie Artistes Association] and the State authorities.”
The commission said the actress questioned the State government and the MAA over the absence of the Committee Against Sexual Harassment (CASH). Media reports, if true, suggest inaction on the part of the government on the matter. Barring the actress from acting in films or stopping others from acting with her are violation of the right to livelihood and live with dignity. Citing the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, the Commission made it clear that the ‘workplace’ in the present case was the Telugu film industry.
