#MeToo: CINTAA committee names Swara Bhaskar, Raveena Tandon and Renuka Shahane as members

In the wake of #MeToo movement and sexual allegations against Bollywood celebrities, associations like Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA) and Indian Film and Television Directors’ Association (IFTDA) have stepped in to deal with the issue.

Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA) Wednesday said it will be setting up committees to tackle sexual harassment in the industry, which will have actors Swara Bhasker and Raveena Tandon, among others as members.

Along with Swara and Raveena, actor Renuka Shahane, filmmaker Amol Gupte, journalist Bharti Dubey, PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) lawyers and psychologists will also be part of the committee. Sushant Singh, general secretary of CINTAA, stated that this is being done in an attempt to eliminate the issues pertaining to sexual harassment at workplace and otherwise.

Singh said, “Swara Bhasker approached us, she is a member. She was working on this issue independently, very methodically. When we met her we realised we were on the same page. We are planning to set up a sub-committee which will focus on sexual harassment awareness.“It includes Swara and lawyer Vrinda Grover who will take a session for the industry. PoSH will also pitch in and counselling sessions, awareness workshops and symposiums will be held,” Singh said.

The actor said the organisation aims to make the committee so robust that the industry refuses to work with proven offenders.“We need to define punishment for what one has done. As a trade union, we can only expel such people from associations. But as an industry, we need to think.“The committee should be so strong that if someone is held guilty, proven wrong or is a repeat offender, no one should employ them. We will be coordinating with producers because they are the employers. We need to create such an atmosphere,” he said.

We will form a special committee to handle the cases. Raveena Tandon, Renuka Shahane, Amole Gupte, journalist Bharati Dubey, 3 members of POSH have agreed to be a member of the special committee. We have sent mails to a few others: Sushant Singh, CINTAA secretary #MeTooIndia pic.twitter.com/Z1G0Y5lB53

— ANI (@ANI) October 17, 2018

Singh said the #MeToo movement has shocked people and changed outlooks about the way things function on the ground.

The #MeToo movement has come across as nothing short of a shock to everyone and has given one all the reasons to change the way things have been happening in the industry so far.

Tanushree Dutta’s revelations or #MeToo allegations against Nana Patekar have shed light to a string of cases entwined with sexual harassment. These shocking names of Bollywood biggies have made the social media going bonkers.