Kerala Govt Forms Sit to Probe Sexual Harassment Complaints in Malayalam Film Industry
The formation of the SIT coincides with a tumultuous day for the industry, marked by the successive resignations of renowned director Ranjith and actor Siddique from their respective positions as Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA), amidst allegations of sexual harassment.
The setting up of the SIT is significant given the findings of the Hema Committee, which disclosed extensive sexual harassment, gender discrimination, and even the absence of basic amenities for women within the Malayalam film industry.
The team will operate under the supervision of ADGP (Crimes) H Venkatesh. This resolution was made during a meeting of senior police officials called by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), comprising four female police officers, will be led by IG Sparjan Kumar. The team is tasked with investigating the complaints and statements issued by the actors.
The additional team members include Ajeeta Begum, Merin Joseph, G. Poongkuzhali, Aishwarya Dongre, Ajith V, and S. Madhusudhanan. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) will record statements from the individuals who made the allegations.
This course of action was decided upon following discussions between the Chief Minister and DGP Shaik Darvesh Sahib.
Legal action will be initiated if the individuals who have made allegations persist with their complaints. This decision follows recent controversies stemming from the Hema Committee report.
Earlier today, Ranjith resigned after facing sexual harassment allegations from Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra, while Siddique stepped down following grave sexual assault allegations made by the young actress Revathy Sampath.
Ranjith conveyed his decision to Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian, expressing his reluctance to remain in the role after the allegations surfaced. He submitted an audio clip to a TV channel, expressing his desire to step down as the chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, citing concerns that his continuation might adversely affect the reputation of the LDF government in the state.
In response to Ranjith's resignation, Sreelekha Mitra told the media; "No further reactions. I am neither happy nor sad. It doesn't affect me. I've made my point, and that's all."
Siddique communicated his resignation to AMMA president Mohanlal through email, stating, "I am resigning from my post due to the allegations made against me."
Revathy Sampath accused Siddique of sexual assault in 2016, labelling him a hardcore criminal.
Allegations against Ranjith: Earlier on Friday, Mitra, 51, recounted her distressing ordeal to television news channels, stating, "I was invited to act in the Malayalam movie Paleri Manikyam. Upon my arrival in Kerala, I met the director in the morning, and he later requested my presence in the evening to discuss film-related matters. After a while, he inappropriately touched my arm, toyed with my bangles, and caressed my hair. When he touched my neck, I realized his intentions and promptly left the room."
The actress recounted that the incident had left her deeply disturbed. "Upon arriving at my hotel room, I was terrified he might come after me. I even worried they might have a master key to the room. So, I moved the sofa, chairs, and placed them against the door. I stayed awake all night. The following day, I hurried to the airport, purchased a ticket with my own money, and departed from Kerala. The memory of that incident still makes me shudder."
“I confided in documentary filmmaker Joshy Joseph about the experience. At that time, filing a complaint was not something I could consider; my sole focus was to leave Kerala as soon as possible,” she said.
The actor who is a Left fellow traveller, stated that she was not sexually assaulted. However, the director's misconduct and his apparent intentions were undeniable.
Allegations against Siddique
Recollecting her harrowing experience before news channels, Revathy said, "Siddique first contacted me through social media, addressing me as 'mole' (daughter) in his messages. Two years after I finished my higher secondary education, he reached out once more, still calling me 'mole.' Back then, I was too inexperienced to question his motives. He asked whether I was interested in acting or the film industry. At the time, I did not recognize his predatory behavior, as people like him can be very manipulative and deceitful."
“At the age of 21, I attended a local theatre in Thiruvananthapuram for the preview of the Malayalam film "Sukhamairikkatte." Siddique invited me to a well-known hotel in the city centre to discuss aspects related to the film. I was locked in a room. He abused me physically and told me it was okay if I didn't allow him to cross the limits. After that, he grabbed and overpowered me, for a moment several things passed through my mind. The mirror in the room is testimony to my traumatic experience.”
Will he kill me? Will I survive this attack? Will I be able to escape from here? Will I be able to defend myself? Will I be able to see my parents? All kinds of thoughts came in a flash of a second.
"I mustered all my physical strength and mental courage and came out of the room. Before leaving, I told Siddique that I would make the incident public. With sheer arrogance and utter contempt, he told me; ``Go and tell. Who is going to believe you? Have you even acted in one film? Does anyone know you?
So many people believe in me. So many people admire me. Nobody is going to believe you, he said.
Revathy said not only criminal proceedings should be initiated against Siddique, but he should also be banned from the film industry. He is a predator and hardcore criminal. His presence in the industry is a threat to many young artists who want to pursue a career in acting.
The actor said she was ready to pursue the case provided the government and agencies like the Women's Commission gave the guarantee that they would stand with her and give all support.
"I have already undergone the trauma for all these years. Now I want to lead my life peacefully and do something meaningful in my life," she said.
Left draws flak
Mitra levelled allegations against Ranjith on Friday morning. Still, Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cherian did not seek his resignation or removal from the chairmanship of the academy, an autonomous, non-profit institution under the government for promoting cinema in Kerala.
Instead, the minister praised the director, recognizing him as a major figure in the Indian cinema industry. This statement by the minister led to significant public backlash.
Even the women ministers in the LDF government referred to technicalities rather than calling for Ranjith's dismissal.
CPM politburo member Brinda Karat, who has been at the forefront of many women's agitations across the country, also referenced the law which requires a complaint from the victim or survivor. However, as calls for Ranjith's resignation intensified, the government was compelled to distance itself from the director.
Furthermore, the CPI, the second-largest ally of the ruling CPM in the LDF, demanded his resignation, and its youth wing, AIYF, even threatened to start an agitation. In Delhi, CPI veteran leader Annie Raja strongly opposed Ranjith, calling for his removal.