[Hema Committee Report] Ensure Chairperson Of Film Policy Drafting Committee Inspires Confidence Of Women: Kerala High Court Tells State

“When you are having a conclave, and specifically to address an issue which is now coming to the fore because of the Hema Committee recommendations etc.. I think it should be a committee that inspires confidence in the women citizens. So, when you have these committees and when you have a chairperson for the Committee, ensure that it is a person that instills confidence”, Justice A. K. Jayasankaran Nambiar orally observed

The issue was brought to the notice by Advocate Sandhya Raju who said that the Cinema Conclave is going to be headed by a person who has been accused of being 'extremely gender bullying' and corrupt.

The Counsel appearing for the State, however, opposed this statement by saying that the Committee or Chairperson will not be deciding the policy. He added that the Committee will only collect information and place it before the Government. He said that the policy will be formulated by the Government only.

The Court orally remarked that nothing can be done when it is only allegations and nothing is proved yet.

Senior Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan suggested that ideally, a lady should be heading the Committee so that it inspires the confidence of the women. He pointed out that it was the reason why Justice Hema Committee was headed by 3 women.

To this, the Court remarked that it was better if the Committee was headed by a person who instils confidence among Women.

The State on being asked about the function of the conclave answered that all the inputs gathered from different organisations will be placed before the Conclave and some more persons will be invited to consider it. The Court asked the State to submit what is proposed to be done in the Conclave before the next posting date.

The State had submitted before the Court that the State had collected inputs from almost 140 organisations to formulate the new legislation intended to protect women in the workplace, especially in the entertainment industry. Senior Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan suggested to the Court that this being a consultative process, the State should give an opportunity to WCC and the Amicus Curiae to submit their suggestions.

Adv. Sandhya Raju submitted before the Court that since the publication of the Justice Hema Committee report, people in other industries have come out with similar stories. She submitted that it would be better if the draft legislation could take into consideration other industries also.

To this, the Court orally said that the State needs to first come up with the legislation and then it can be extended to other industries on a case-to-case basis.

The case is next posted in the first week of March.

Case Title: Jannath v State of Kerala & Other Cases

Case Number: WPC No. 31205/2024 & Other Cases