Hema Committee Report Effect: State In Action, Special Team Formed To Investigate #MeToo Allegations

The shocking revelations in Justice K Hema Committee's report about rampant harassment and abuse of women professionals led to two high-profile resignations over allegations of #MeToo. Director Ranjith and actor Siddique stepped down from their leadership roles in a state-run film academy and the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (A.M.M.A), respectively.

Amid mounting pressure on the government to take action against alleged predators in the film industry, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan convened a high-level meeting with senior police officials and decided to establish a seven-member special team to investigate the atrocities faced by women actors in Mollywood.

Women come out with their #MeToo stories

After the Justice Hema Committee Report was made public, some female actors also narrated their harrowing experiences in front of the media without naming their accused male colleagues.

The chief minister's office said the special team, formed to investigate all the allegations in connection with the film industry, will be headed by IG Sparjan Kumar and will include four senior women IPS officers of the state. "Crime Branch ADGP H Venkatesh will oversee the functioning of the team," the CMO said in a statement.

What was revealed in the Hema Committee Report?

The report by the Justice Hema Committee, constituted by the Kerala government post the 2017 actress assault case, has revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry, prompting calls for action against the guilty. In the report, 17 issues faced by women professionals in Mollywood have been highlighted, ranging from sexual harassment to pay disparity.