Thiruvananthapuram: Culture minister Saji Cherian said on Tuesday former HC judge K Hema, the chairperson of the three-member committee, which looked into the problems faced by women working in Malayalam cinema , had insisted that the committee’s report be kept confidential and that the govt was only respecting her request. The minister was responding to criticisms that the govt sought to keep the report under wraps to avoid taking action against the perpetrators of crimes documented in detail by the committee. He asserted that the govt should not be held responsible for the decision to withhold the report’s release.
Cherian noted that the state information commission, which recently ordered the release of the report, had previously opposed its disclosure. “We have made no attempt to gain political advantage from the report. In fact, the govt has already begun implementing its recommendations.
Over the past one-and-a-half years, the govt has been in discussions with various organizations within the film industry. These discussions have led to the decision to organize a Cinema Conclave,” the minister stated. He also mentioned that no actress has brought any complaints to him during the last three-and-a-half years.
Cherian emphasized that women in the film industry are welcome to file complaints, and any such grievances will be addressed. “The recommendations in the report also require legal vetting. The govt is committed to taking strict action if any complaints are .