Special Correspondent

It is shocking that women workers are sexually harassed even in a State run media institution like Doordarshan.  Recently,  women news readers of Doordarshan Kendra (DDK), Thiruvananthapuram,   submitted a written complaint to their department head alleging repeated sexual harassment from a male employee of the Kendra. Unfortunately action is still not taken against the accused.

The complaint (a copy is with APN News) signed by 18 of the 19 female news readers of DDK Thiruvanathapuram charged that a male make-up artist of the Kendra “has been misbehaving” with them during make –up sessions. “He has been making sexual overtures and trying to molest us repeatedly. He has been passing lewd comments and making physical gestures with immoral intentions. His uncalled-for sexual advances have caused us tremendous physical and mental stress. His misdemeanors literally weakened our professional performance,” the complaint addressed to the deputy director of the Kendra elaborated.

Though the complaint was lodged with the head of the department of News on 5^th of January 2011, no action has been initiated against the accused till date, said a senior official of the Kendra. “The women’s cell (of the Kendra) conducted an investigation based on the complaint, and it seems the report of the proceedings was sent to the Directorate, New Delhi.  But as per our information no action has been taken against him (the accused) till date.”

According to reliable sources in the Kendra, Ms. Lalithambika IAS (retired) a member of the women cell conducted a probe and she was convinced of the “sexually motivated misconduct” of the accused. In her report Lalithambika had observed that the make-up artist misused his position, made “advances” to the complainants and tried to molest them.   She had recommended suitable “deterrent action” against the accused since the charges were proved beyond doubt, the source added.

Unfortunately “no action has been contemplated against the make-up artist yet, may be because of his (accused) influence within and outside the department” said another employee of the Kendra.

When asked about the issue P K Subhash, director of the DDK Thiruvanathapuram told this correspondent on phone that “the matter has been referred to the directorate (Delhi) and we are awaiting directions (from the directorate).”  The director said that the accused has been shifted from the department.

However, Dr. Seema, Rajaya Sabha Member from Thiruvanathapuram, is unhappy that no action has been taken against the “offender”. “It is over eight months since the complaint was lodged.  I fail to understand why punitive action has not been initiated against the accused who committed such a grave offence like outraging the modesty of the women workers and trying to molest them. This is an insult to the entire women folk. The lackadaisical approach of the administration on such grave offences can hardly be tolerated. It is the duty of the administration to provide proper protection to women from such perverted elements.”

Pointing fingers at the director of DDK Thiruvanathapuram, the Rajya Sabha member said, “He should have taken disciplinary action against the accused since the charges (against the accused) were proved and disciplinary action was recommended against the offender. I fail to understand what prevented the director from taking immediate action upon receiving the report.”

Dr. Seema, a determined campaigner of women’s causes is arranging her armory to fight the issue to the finish. “I shall exercise all my force to bring the culprits to book and deliver justice to the aggrieved. No one should take our women for granted. No one should dare to misbehave with them.”

The Supreme Court of India in the landmark Vishaka judgment in 1997 had recognised sexual harassment at the workplace as a violation of human rights.  In the judgment the apex court had outlined a set of guidelines (Guidelines on Sexual Harassment at the Workplace) for the prevention and redress of complaints by women of sexual harassment in the workplace. The guidelines place the responsibility on employers to provide a safe work environment to their women employees and include both preventive and remedial measures to make the work environment safe for women employees.

“The Doordarshan in this case has ignored the apex court ruling, it seems. The national broadcaster should be a role model to the industry in respecting and protecting its women workers. But here it is the other way around. It is trying to protect those who intimidate and outrage the modesty of women,” the young Lady Lawmaker lamented.