Kannada actor Chetan Kumar has called for the establishment of a committee in Karnataka similar to the Justice Hema Committee, which was formed in Kerala to address gender-based issues within the Malayalam film industry. The actor, along with a delegation, recently met with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to push for a platform that allows women in the Kannada film industry (Sandalwood) to voice their concerns about discrimination and harassment.
Addressing Gender Discrimination in Sandalwood
In a conversation with news agency ANI, Chetan Kumar highlighted the need for urgent action on gender-based discrimination within Sandalwood. “There is a need to address the discrimination against women in the Kannada film industry,” he said. The actor expressed hope that the Karnataka government would act swiftly to form a panel similar to the Justice Hema Committee, which had investigated the issues faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reportedly responded positively to the demands, expressing interest in discussing the situation further in a future meeting. He also asked whether the Kannada film industry faces issues comparable to those identified in the Malayalam industry.
Support for a Committee
Chetan Kumar is optimistic about the possibility of the Karnataka government implementing such a committee. “We believe in the Siddaramaiah government, and we hope it will pass a committee report similar to the Kerala government,” he said, adding that the fight for human rights and women’s rights should be supported by the government.
The call for action has gained traction within the Kannada film industry as well. In an open letter to CM Siddaramaiah, 153 members of the industry, including popular actors such as Kichcha Sudeep and Ramya, urged the government to establish a committee led by a retired judge to investigate the systemic issues faced by women in the Kannada film industry (KFI). The letter demanded a thorough probe into instances of sexual harassment and sought recommendations for policies that would foster a safe and equitable working environment for women.
Justice Hema Committee’s Findings in Kerala
The Justice Hema Committee in Kerala, whose report was released in August, highlighted the sexual harassment women face in the Malayalam film industry. The report described how women were often forced to make “adjustments” or “compromises”—terms that euphemistically refer to sexual favours—to secure or retain roles. Although the report did not reveal specific names, it provided detailed insights into the hardships faced by women in the industry.
Chetan Kumar and his delegation are hopeful that Karnataka will follow Kerala’s example by forming a similar committee to investigate and address gender-based issues in Sandalwood. The movement has received widespread support from the Kannada film fraternity, with many urging the government to take immediate steps to create a fairer and more transparent industry for women.
Conclusion
The push for a Justice Hema-like committee in Karnataka marks a significant step in addressing gender discrimination within the Kannada film industry. With strong support from prominent industry members and a positive response from CM Siddaramaiah, there is hope that the formation of a committee could lead to significant reforms, ensuring a safer and more equitable environment for women in Sandalwood.