Nadda slams Kerala government for ‘delay’ in justice

Union Minister and BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda has accused the Kerala government of delaying justice for victims of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry, following the release of the Hema Commission report. Speaking in Palakkad, Kerala, on Sunday, Nadda raised concerns over the state’s inaction, and alleged that Communist Party leaders are involved in the matter.

“Why is there so much delay in justice for the Hema Commission report? What is stopping them (the Kerala government)? What is haunting you? Because you are part of it… it is something you want to hide because your people are involved in it… I am very sorry to say that the Hema Commission report has very specifically said that Communist Party leaders are involved in it. The Chief Minister should come out and tell what really happened,” Nadda was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Kerala: While interacting with eminent personalities from various fields in Palakkad, Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda says, “Why delay in giving justice to the Hema Commission report? What is stopping them (Kerala government)? What is haunting you? Because you… photo.twitter.com/VYujS5wzaC

—ANI (@ANI) September 1, 2024

Hema Justice Committee report puts Malayalam film industry under scrutiny over allegations of sexual exploitation

The Justice Hema Committee report, partially released last month, details disturbing stories of harassment, exploitation and abuse of women in the Malayalam film industry. The 235-page report, released after redacting the names of witnesses and accused persons, highlights that the industry is dominated by about 10 to 15 male producers, directors and actors who wield considerable control.

It is notable that the National Commission for Women (NCW) has indicated that it has taken steps to demand full disclosure of the report, given the allegations. READ ALSO | Hema Commission Report: Should More Malayalam Film Industry Biggies Be Named? NCW Calls for Full Disclosure of Details

The report, prepared by a three-member panel headed by a former Kerala High Court judge and constituted by the state government in 2017, was submitted to the Pinrayi Vijayan-led Kerala government in December 2019, but was only made public recently. In response to the revelations, actor Mohanlal resigned as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) over the report’s findings and the accompanying allegations of sexual harassment against some members of its executive committee.

On August 25, the Kerala government announced the formation of a seven-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to further probe the case.