A month after the explosive Hema Committee report was published and more than a dozen Malayalam film personalities are in the dock, a two-member National Commission for Women (NCW) team is slated to arrive here on Thursday to take statements from victims.
The NCW committee will be open to taking statements from those connected with the film industry and will hold its sitting here.
Incidentally soon after the report was published and over a dozen FIRs registered after former actors and actresses registered complaints of sexual harassment with the police, the NCW sought a copy of the report, but is yet to get it.
Soon after the report was published on August 19 the NCW in an official press release stated that the Commission had observed some "concerning findings" in the Hema Committee Report, which point to some "serious issues" including "workplace harassment, gender-based discrimination, and other forms of exploitation that adversely affect women in the Malayalam film industry."
"In response to these concerns, the NCW has taken steps to seek the complete Hema Committee Report, as it appears that only parts of it are currently available in the public domain.
“The Commission is committed to furthering its efforts in addressing these matters with the appropriate authorities to ensure that the rights of women are upheld and that a safe, equitable working environment is fostered within the industry," read its statement.
The Hema Committee report on the working conditions of women in the Malayalam film industry is based on testimonies from 51 industry professionals.
It reveals shocking details about the exploitation of women, including the existence of the casting couch and poor working conditions.
The NCW team arrives at a time when top actors including two-time CPI(M) legislator Mukesh, former Association of Malayalam Movie Artists general secretary Edavela Babu and leading director V.K. Prakash were arrested and let off as they had secured anticipatory bail.
Meanwhile, leading actor Siddique whose bail plea was rejected by the Kerala High Court is on the run and has now filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, which is expected to be taken up on Thursday.
Now all eyes are on the NCW sitting and it remains to be seen if any of the victims will appear before the panel.
Already a Special Investigation Team of the Kerala Police, under the watchful eyes of a special two-member High Court Bench, has started its work and on October 3 the SIT has to submit its Action Taken Report.
Tripura CM Dr Manik Saha to lead high-level task force for investment promotion in NE India
In a significant development of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of making India – Viksit Bharat by 2047, the Ministry of Development of North East Region (MDoNER) has appointed Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha as the Convenor of the High-Level Task Force for investment promotion in North East region of the country.
In a first, 9 Tripura youths get nursing caregiver jobs in Japan
For the first time, nine youths from Tripura have got jobs in Japan as nursing caregivers and 60 more candidates would go to the East Asian country in the next financial year (2025-26) for work, officials said here on Saturday.
108-year-old Tripura Palace to turn into 5-star hotel; deal signed amid protests by allies, Oppn
Despite vehement protests by the ruling BJP's ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and the Opposition, the Tripura government on Friday signed an agreement with the Indian Hotels Company Ltd. (IHCL) to make the 108-year-old Pushpabanta Palace in Agartala a 5-star hotel.
Tripura CM tells police, lawyers to increase conviction rate
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday asked the top police officers, law enforcement agencies, lawyers, and other stakeholders to take all steps to increase the conviction rates.
Govt working to develop Bankul as most attractive tourist spot in Tripura: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday inaugurated the 78th Bankul Mahamuni festival of the Buddhists community in the Buddha temple at Sabroom Manubankul and said that the government has taken initiative to develop Bankul as one of the most attractive tourist spots of the state.
PM Modi led Govt given special importance to socio-economic development and self-empowerment of women: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday inaugurated the state level celebration of the International Women’s Day here at Agartala Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan and said that the government has given special importance to the socio-economic development and self-empowerment of women of the country.
THRC seeks report from DGP over FIR refusal
The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has directed Director General of Police (DGP) Amitabh Ranjan to investigate allegations that police personnel in North Tripura refused to register an FIR and to submit a report by April 24.
Outrage over puppy killing video, Minister orders arrest
A harrowing case of animal cruelty in Tripura’s Khowai district has triggered widespread outrage after a disturbing video of a youth brutally killing a puppy surfaced on social media.