More than four years after the submission of the Hema committee report aimed at addressing sexual harassment and gender inequality in the Malayalam film industry, the State Information Commission has ordered the Culture department to release the report to the public. This monumental decision is anticipated to cause ripples throughout the industry’s power corridors and spur intense demands for change.
The Hema committee, led by Justice K. Hema, was formed in the aftermath of a high-profile case of sexual assault on an actor in 2017. The report was submitted to the Chief Minister on December 31, 2019. Despite repeated calls for transparency from multiple stakeholders, including the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), the report remained cloaked in secrecy until now.
Welcoming the development, filmmaker Anjali Menon, a member of the WCC, expressed optimism that the report’s findings would illuminate the pressing issues that need to be tackled. Speaking to The Hindu, she said, “This order is a positive development that holds all parties accountable. The committee was constituted based on the WCC’s request to the Chief Minister to investigate the challenges faced by women in the Malayalam film industry as a workplace. Several women from the industry have testified before the commission about various levels of discrimination that they have experienced, hoping that the findings will lead to change. A lot of time, efforts, and taxpayers’ money have been invested in this. It is crucial that all of that is justified. No point in talking about solutions until the problem is transparently declared and defined.”
Minister for Cultural Affairs Saji Cherian confirmed that the government would comply with the State Information Commission’s order and release the parts of the report that do not violate individual privacy. According to the order issued by State Information Commissioner A. Abdul Hakeem, only information prohibited under the Right to Information (RTI) Act and those affecting the privacy of the individuals involved should be withheld.
. Applicants must be informed about the nature of such withheld information.
The State Information Commission, while commending the government’s intention to set up the committee to address these long-standing issues, criticized the Culture department and its officials for withholding the report. The commission noted a certain “prejudice in withholding the information” without properly considering the petitioners’ intentions. It stated unequivocally that the facts and findings in a report designed to rejuvenate the industry and ensure the safety of women working within it “cannot be hidden forever.”
The department was directed to provide the information to the applicants by July 25, failing which the State Public Information Officer and Appellate Authority would have to appear before the commission on July 27.
The Hema committee’s report is known to contain detailed testimonies from several actors and industry professionals regarding incidents of sexual harassment, unofficial bans, wage disputes, and other workplace challenges. Facing mounting pressure from various quarters over keeping the report secretive, the State government had in 2022 set up a three-member panel to “examine and formulate an implementation plan” based on the Hema committee’s findings. However, as of now, this panel has neither met nor made any recommendations.
The unveiling of the Hema committee report promises to be a pivotal moment for the Malayalam film industry, potentially initiating widespread reforms and altering the existing power dynamics. The WCC and other supportive entities await the disclosure, hoping it will catalyze essential changes and offer justice to those who have long suffered in silence.
Indeed, the industry is now at a crossroads, with the public release of the Hema committee report serving as a critical juncture. It is anticipated to ignite important conversations around gender equality and safety, inspiring efforts to build a more inclusive and respectful workplace for all. The coming days will reveal the tangible impacts of this disclosure and the subsequent actions taken by industry and government stakeholders to address and mitigate the issues laid bare by the report.
The Hema committee’s findings, once public, are expected to foster a newfound awareness, ensuring that the voices of those who have been marginalized are heard, acknowledged, and acted upon. This landmark move by the State Information Commission has consequently set the stage for transparency, accountability, and potentially transformative change in the Malayalam film industry.
