Mangaluru
C. Manjula, BJP Mahila Morcha State President and former Chairperson of the Karnataka State Women’s Commission, has called for internal complaints committees in both the film industry and political parties to address workplace sexual harassment.
Manjula stated that political parties should expel leaders who are accused of sexual harassment. She emphasized that any party should take action against leaders using their platform to harass women.
Regarding the Film Industry For Rights and Equality (FIRE) petition, which seeks the formation of a panel led by a retired judge to address issues faced by women in the film industry, Manjula supported the initiative. She noted that the Kannada film industry employs many artists and suggested that everyone should support the petition. Manjula proposed that an internal complaints committee should be established in the film industry as well, with the investigation overseen by a sitting high court judge.
Manjula also criticized the state government’s handling of sexual harassment cases, including a recent kidnapping and rape incident in Karkala. She claimed that the Congress government in Karnataka has neglected women’s safety, accusing the District Minister of Udupi, Laxmi Hebbalkar, and the Karnataka State Women’s Commission of failing to act. She questioned whether the government intends to transform Karnataka into a situation similar to Kolkata regarding women’s safety issues.
