Kerala High Court Bashes State Government Over Hema Committee Revelations: 'Need a Feminist Perspective'

The Kerala High Court has lashed out at the state government for its alleged ‘inaction’ over the findings of the Justice Hema Committee Report. On Tuesday, the High Court questioned the state government for not taking any action after the shocking sexual harassment/assault disclosures were made in the Hema Committee report.

The court directed the government to handover the sealed report to the Special Investigation Team (SIT). It also asked the SIT to examine the report and then file a detailed affidavit in a sealed cover. However, the court also asked the investigative authority not to violate anybody’s privacy while examining the report.

The high court further directed that there should be no haste in the proceedings and added that whether an FIR is required or not can be decided only after examining the report. It also mentioned that if a deponent does not wish to proceed with the complaint, the proceedings may be terminated.

“Kerala has more women than men. This is a problem faced by the majority in the state. It’s not just a problem faced by women in cinema. The administration must respond urgently. The report details serious crimes,” the court said.

The state High Court further suggested a legislation to end sexual exploitation in the unorganized sector. “Something must be drafted with a feminist perspective. Just increasing female representation will not solve the issues,” it said.

Last month, the findings of the Justice Hema Committee Report were made public which left everyone shocked. The report explored the working conditions for women in the Malayalam film industry and shed light on several alleged cases of sexual harassment or assault. As of now, FIRs have been registered against several film personalities including Mukesh, Siddique, Jayasurya, Edavela Babu, Nivin Pauly, Maniyan Pillai Raju, directors Ranjith, V. K. Prakash, production executives Vichu and Noble.

In the wake of the same, Mohanlal also recently resigned as the president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists. He was the president of the association and had a 17-member executive committee. However, all the members of the committee submitted their joint resignation.