Kanimozhi Karunanidhi Calls for Women's Safety Following Malayalam Film Industry Scandals

DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi underscores the essential need for safeguarding women against workplace harassment. Her remarks align with recent sexual assault allegations within the Malayalam film industry, highlighted by the Justice Hema Committee report, which named several prominent figures. Nivin Pauly and others have been formally charged.

DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi emphasized the crucial need to protect women from workplace harassment on Wednesday, asserting that their demand for safety is justified. 'Wherever women are working, they should be protected from any kind of harassment. It is not wrong that women are demanding to be protected. Women, wherever they are working or wherever they live, have a right to be protected and nobody has a right to harass them,' Karunanidhi stated.

Her remarks come amid recent sexual assault allegations involving notable figures in the Malayalam film industry, following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report. The report unearthed alarming details of crimes against women in the industry. On Tuesday, the Kerala Police charged actor Nivin Pauly and five others with gang rape and related crimes, based on the survivor's statement to the Special Investigation Team (SIT). The accused face multiple IPC sections, including assault, voyeurism, and criminal intimidation.

The case was filed at Oonnukal police station based on the survivor's testimony to the SIT. The First Information Report outlined charges under IPC Sections 354 (assault or use of criminal force against a woman), 376D (gang rape), 354C (voyeurism), 450 (trespass), 342 (wrongful confinement), 376(2)(n) (repeated rape of the same woman), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention).

Pauly is listed as the sixth accused in the case, with Shreya, film producer AK Sunil, Binu, Basheer, and Kuttan identified as the first five accused. The complainant alleged that the accused promised her a film role. The offence allegedly occurred in Dubai last year.

Pauly, however, refuted the allegations, labeling them baseless. 'I have come across a false news report accusing me of abusing a girl. Please know that this is entirely untrue. I'm determined to go to any extent to prove these allegations baseless and will take all necessary steps to bring those responsible to light. Thank you for your concern. The rest will be handled legally,' Pauly stated on his Instagram account.

The case against Pauly is the latest in a series of cases against prominent figures in the Malayalam film industry, post the release of the Hema Committee report. Filmmaker Ranjith, actor and CPI(M) MLA Mukesh, and actors Edavela Babu, Baburaj, Jayasurya, and Siddique have also been implicated in various sexual harassment complaints.

Last month, a redacted version of the Justice Hema Committee report on the harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry was made public. It recounted shocking instances of harassment, exploitation, and mistreatment. The 235-page report, published with redacted names of witnesses and the accused, notes that the Malayalam film industry is controlled by about 10 to 15 men who dominate and exert significant influence.

(With inputs from agencies.)