JP Nadda Trains Guns On CPI(M) In Kerala Over Inaction On Hema Committee Report: 'Your People Are Involved'

BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda strongly criticized the Kerala government on Sunday for its inaction regarding the explosive Justice Hema Committee report.

During an interaction with prominent figures from various sectors in Kerala's Palakkad, Nadda accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of deliberately withholding action because members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) were implicated in the report's findings.

Photo Credit: PTI

Nadda's comments come after the long-awaited Justice Hema Committee report was made public on August 19, 2024.

The report highlights systemic sexual exploitation and power abuse within the Malayalam film industry, often referred to as 'Mollywood'.

Nadda expressed his dismay at the Kerala government's delay in addressing the issues raised by the report, particularly the involvement of communist party members.

"I am very sorry to say that the Hema Committee report very specifically said that Communist party people are involved. The Chief Minister should come out," Nadda stated.

The Justice Hema Committee was formed to investigate the working conditions of women in the Malayalam film industry, and its findings are both expansive and explosive.

According to the report, the industry is dominated by an all-male 'mafia' that exerts considerable influence, making the 'casting couch' a prevalent issue.

The report revealed that women who refuse to comply with sexual demands on film sets often face severe harassment, with their careers being threatened or even destroyed by this powerful group.

Nadda further questioned the motives behind the Kerala government's hesitation to act on the report's findings.

"Why the delay in justice to the Hema committee report? What is stopping them (Kerala government)? What is haunting you? Because you are part and parcel of that. It is something you want to hide because your people are involved," Nadda charged.

The report, initially submitted to the Kerala government in December 2019, had remained under wraps for nearly five years before its public release.

Its contents are based on testimonies from numerous actresses and technicians within the industry, painting a grim picture of the challenges faced by women in Mollywood.

The revelations have sent shockwaves across Kerala, with many calling for immediate action against those involved.

In the aftermath of the report's release, at least 10 cases have been filed against prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry, including actors, directors, and production controllers.

Some of the accused include well-known directors VK Prakash and Ranjith, actors Siddiqui, Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu, as well as Advocate Chandrasekharan and production controllers Noble and Vhich.

These individuals have been accused of sexual harassment by various women, following the damning revelations of the Justice Hema Committee report.