Carnatic music vocalist TM Krishna reacts to the revelations of the Justice Hema Committee Report. (Photo: Instagram)
TM Krishna was one of those who vocally raised the issue of sexual harassment in the classical art industry.
The revelations of the Justice Hema Committee Report regarding the Malayalam Film Industry have left the entire nation shocked. While several celebrities have expressed their concern reacting to the report as of now, recently, Carnatic music vocalist TM Krishna also called for strict punishment. Krishna opined that such incidents happen in other film industries as well and therefore, more similar reports should be made. He was among those who vocally raised the issue of sexual harassment in the classical art industry.
“Congratulations to the women who brought it out. It’s a very important movement. I think we all know it’s not just about the Malayalam industry; it’s about every film industry. I don’t think any industry can escape the truths revealed in the Hema Committee report. I am hoping that similar reports are made in all other film industries. Sometimes we need things to come out blatantly. Until then, we keep on saying, ‘Who knows?’, ‘How do we know?’, “We have not seen”—these are the usual WhatsApp chats we all participated in at some point in life,” he said.
“I am so glad this report came out, even if late. I hope similar confidential reports are made, confidential in terms of protecting the identities of those who share their stories. We men fundamentally need to change. There is a lack of humanity, self-reflection, and arrogance of gender and sexuality that we need to shed. We are the perpetrators of this violence, the caretakers, excuse-givers, and the fountainhead of the violence, and that has to change,” he added.
Krishna explained that cases of sexual preferences may decrease in the film industry only when we initiate a change in our schooling system.
What Is Justice Hema Committee Report?
Revelations by Justice Hema Committee report have left the entire nation shocked. In 2017, a Malayalam actress actress was sexually assaulted following which the government formed a three-member commission. While it was headed by Justice K Hema (retired), former bureaucrat KB Valsalakumari and veteran actress Sharada were the other two team members.
The report, which was submitted to the government in 2019, was made available to the public earlier this week. The report investigates several aspects of the Malayalam film industry including sexual harassment, lack of basic facilities like women’s toilets and changing rooms, pay disparity and discrimination on the basis of gender.
