The Nadigar Sangam, the union representing film, television, and stage actors in Tamil Nadu, has taken a strong stand against sexual harassment within the Tamil film industry. Following a meeting of its Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee on Wednesday, September 4, the Tamil actors’s body passed a resolution to ban sexual offenders and provide comprehensive support to victims.
As part of this resolution, the Gender Sensitisation and Internal Complaints Committee (GSICC) will offer legal assistance to those who come forward with complaints of sexual harassment. It will thoroughly investigate the complaints. If the allegations are proven, it will recommend severe action, including a five-year ban for the actors from the Tamil film industry.
The Nadigar Sangam will work with the producers’s association to ensure these penalties are enforced.
In a bid to streamline the process for victims, Nadigar Sangam has also set up a dedicated phone number and created a new e-mail address, specifically for lodging complaints related to sexual misconduct.
Further, the actors’s association advised the victims to approach the GSICC directly rather than taking their cases to the media, ensuring the complaints were handled in a structured and confidential manner.
The GSICC resolution also includes a provision for initial warnings to be issued to alleged perpetrators. If the behaviour persists or the complaint is substantiated, further action will be taken to hold the offender accountable.
The Tamil actors’s body emphasised that, by imposing the ban on sexual offenders, their goal is to create a safer environment for women in the industry and ensure justice is served.
Extends support beyond Tamil cinema
Additionally, Nadigar Sangam extended its support beyond just industry-specific issues, offering assistance to those wishing to file complaints against inappropriate or harmful content on YouTube channels.
This decisive action follows similar developments in Kerala, where the Justice Hema Committee Report uncovered widespread sexual exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry. The report prompted a wave of complaints, with the Kerala Police filing FIRs against prominent actors and directors, including Mukesh, Siddique, Jayasurya, and Ranjith.
The revelations in Kerala sparked concerns in the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh. Some women actors in the Tamil and Telugu industries raised similar allegations. In response, the Nadigar Sangam took swift action, organising a meeting of its GSICC to address the issue.
Vishal, the General Secretary of Nadigar Sangam, assured that any woman with complaints of sexual abuse could approach the committee, and the Sangam would ensure justice is served.
A few days ago, Vishal announced that a dedicated internal complaints committee (ICC) would be established within the next 10 days to monitor cases of sexual harassment and exploitation within the industry. As promised, they constituted the GSICC to ensure that complaints are addressed promptly and appropriately.
The leadership of the Nadigar Sangam, which includes President Nassar, Secretary Vishal, and Treasurer Karthi, pledged to take every necessary step to protect industry professionals from harassment and exploitation.
By offering legal support and implementing strict penalties for offenders, the association aims to foster a safer working environment for all its members.
A ripple effect
Recently, following the publication of the Justice Hema Committee Report, senior Tamil actor Radikaa Sarathkumar called for the formation of a similar committee to deal with sexual harassment and exploitation against women in Tamil cinema.
Interestingly, actor Jiiva drew criticism for dismissing that sexual abuse exists only in Malayalam cinema and not in the Tamil film industry. Singer Chinmayi Sripada slammed the actor on social media for his comments.
Earlier, superstar Rajinikanth made headlines when he stated that he was unaware of the Hema Committee Report.
Meanwhile, actors Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Lakshmi Manchu, director Nandini Reddy, and television presenters Jhansi and Suma took to social media to urge the Telangana government to release the two-year-old sub-committee report on sexual harassment in Telugu cinema.
More than 80 women in the Telugu film and television industries came together to form a support group named “The Voice of Women” in 2019, on the lines of Malayalam cinema’s Women in Cinema Collective.
The Voice of Women aims to conduct gender sensitisation programmes and rally support for victims of exploitation and harassment.
This article was originally published on South First.
