Me Too: Director Sajid Khan suspended for sexual harassment says IFTDA

Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, December 12

The Indian Film and Director’s Association has suspended filmmaker Sajid Khan for a year over sexual harassment allegations.

Three women—assistant director Saloni Chopra, actor Rachel White, and journalist Karishma Upadhyay—accused Khan of sexual harassment at the height of the ‘MeToo’ campaign. All three women had shared their stories on social media.

“The Committee investigated the complaints in the spirit of POSH Act. The allegations in the complaints are serious instances of sexual harassment and abuse of power by Sajid Khan,” IFTDA said in a statement on Wednesday. They added Khan didn’t respond to the allegations or defend himself when he was given a chance.

IFTDA president Ashoke Pandit said, “The reason we have set up a committee is to assure women and men that there is an avenue, which is gender neutral, for seeking redressal if they have been wronged by someone.

“By suspending Sajid for a year, we have only tried to put forth a word that there is redressal as long as you have the courage to speak up and bring out the complete truth, better late than never,” he added.

Pandit believes the increasing awareness about the POSH Act guidelines and the #MeTooIndia Movement have encouraged women to speak up.

“It has given them the confidence to speak against sexual harassment. A complainant, who shows courage to speak against unwelcome behaviour regardless of who is the perpetrator, is not merely an object of pity or sympathy, but a survivor setting the world on fire with her truth. Now, it’s our duty to uproot such unwelcome behaviour around us,” he added.

Khan has admitted of being abusive and disrespectful towards women but has denied the sexual harassment allegations.

The allegations forced the filmmaker to leave the upcoming comedy ‘Housefull 4’, which he was directing.