#MeToo: Swara Bhaskar, Raveena Tandon in CINTAA panel; likely to look at Tanushree case

The Cine and TV Artists Association stated that it will set up a special committee to handle the recent cases of sexual harassment on Wednesday, October 17. The committee will include Swara Bhasker, Raveena Tandon, Renuka Shahane, filmmaker Amol Gupte, other members of the PoSH, Prevention of Sexual Harassment and journalist Bharti Dubey. The general secretary of CINTAA, Sushant Singh said that this was being done in an attempt to eliminate the cases of sexual harassment at the workplace and otherwise.

The CINTAA issued a statement after Tanushree Dutta accused Nana Patekar of sexual harassment in 2008. In the statement dated October 2, it expressed regret at not having appropriately “addressing” Tansushree Dutta’s grievances. The organisations’ senior joint secretary , Amit Behl urged both, Tanushree Dutta and Nana Patekar to file fresh cases for necessary action to take place in the matter.

Sushant Singh mentioned in an interview that Swara Bhasker approached them as she had been working on theses issues alone but the meeting made them realize that they were all on the same page. They intended on forming a different committee to focus on the cases of sexual harassment and the awareness surrounding it. Another lawyer, Vrinda Grover will be joining Swara for the sessions in the industry. He further added that PoSH will also join in and counseling sessions, workshops etc will then be held.

ANI tweeted about CINTAA’s decision.

Sushant also went on to elaborate the plan of action for the committee once it is formed. He said that the the aim of the committee is that once the case has been looked into and action has taken place, no individual in the industry will have to work with the person proven guilty of the crime. He stated that though CINTAA as a union can terminate their involvement in the industry, there is much more that the industry needs to do.

He said that producers will be told about such individuals to create an a work environment where offenders will find it hard to get work in an interview.

The #MeToo movement has brought attention to these cases of sexual harassment and will urge the industry to take the steps required to change the situation to make it a safer work environment for women.