In light of the rape and sexual harassment case recently filed against choreographer Jani Master, the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce held a press meet on Tuesday, sharing their plan of action regarding the issue. TFCC had instituted a Sexual Harassment Redressal Panel, which caters to the sexual harassment complaints within the industry, in 2018. The press meet was presided over by TFCC Honorary Secretary and convenor KL Damodar Prasad, actress Jhansi, Tammareddy Bhardwaj, Suchitra ChandraBose, Vivek Kuchibhotla, Pragati Mahavadi, Ramalakshmi Medapati, and advocate Kavya Mandava.
On behalf of the panel, Jhansi mentioned that the complainant had been a victim of the respondent since she was a minor. She said, “The case is just not about sexual harassment at the workplace. It is more serious and more grievous because the complainant was a minor at that point in time, and it continued for a longer period of time under the name of preferential treatment at work.” Jhansi also clarified that they have taken statements from both the parties involved and that the inquiry is underway, adding that they would be able to share their final report well within the stipulated period of 90 days.
Talking about the instances of sexual harassment in the industry, Jhansi said, “The guidelines for how to take this forward are in progress and are taking a very long time. Let’s agree that we don’t have enough strict redressal mechanisms that are suitable for us to address the issue in our industry. There is lot more work to be done in that matter.” Referring to the subcommittee report submitted a few years ago for creating a safer working environment for women, the actress stated, “Once the report is out, we will have more structured guidelines and mandates to tackle the issue.”
Meanwhile, the committee, which has been established by TFCC to hold a detailed inquiry about the matter, has issued an interim report to put the post of the choreographer, who is the president of the Telugu Film & TV Dancers and Dance Directors Association (TFTDDA), in abeyance until the inquiry is complete. Besides Jhansi, the committee consists of Tammareddy Bhardwaj, Suchitra Chandrabose, Pragati Mahavadi, and Vivek Kuchibhotla, who are the internal members, while Ramalakshmi Medapati and Kavya Mandava would be acting as the external committee members.