DCW chief writes to Union Minister Anurag Thakur, seeks filmmaker Sajid Khan's ouster from Bigg Boss
New Delhi, Oct 10: Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal on Monday wrote to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur seeking the ouster of filmmaker Sajid Khan from reality show Bigg Boss over allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by several women during the #MeToo movement.
The first episode of Bigg Boss' 16th season aired on October 1. The show is hosted by actor Salman Khan.
"Ten women had accused Sajid Khan of sexual harassment during the #MeToo movement. All these complaints show the disgusting mentality of Sajid. Now, this man has been given a place in Bigg Boss, which is wrong. I have written to @ianuragthakur to have Sajid Khan removed from this show," Maliwal said in a tweet.
In her letter to Thakur, the DCW chief said it is unfortunate that Sajid Khan is participating as a housemate in the new season of Bigg Boss.
"As the complaints against him reveal, it appears that Khan has acted as a sexual predator for a long time. Clearly, it is inappropriate for an alleged sexual offender such as Sajid Khan to be included in a primetime show which is watched by adults and children alike.
"This apparently gives him an undue opportunity to whitewash his wrongs and be re-launched amongst Indian audiences," she said.
While there is a public outcry against Khan's inclusion in the show, Maliwal said, the makers of the show are refusing to remove him as they apparently gain TRP ratings and viewership due to the ensuing controversy.
"The allegations against Sajid Khan are extremely serious in nature and should be investigated at the earliest. Under no circumstances such alleged sexual offenders should be promoted on national television and OTT platforms," she said.
Maliwal said Sajid Khan's inclusion in the show underlines that men who enjoy clout in the entertainment industry easily get away with abusive acts without facing any consequences.
"It also disrespects and invalidates those women who spoke out against his inappropriate sexual advances. They are upcoming celebrities in Bollywood and risked their careers to come forward and complain against abuse by an authority figure," she said.
Maliwal requested Thakur to intervene in the matter and take necessary action to ensure Sajid Khan's removal from the show.
"It is important for the government to take a stand in the matter and support the vulnerable in this situation," she said.
Sajid Khan was suspended for a year by the Indian Film and Television Directors' Association (IFTDA) in 2018 after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment.
Earlier that year, he also stepped down as director of "Housefull 4" and was replaced by Farhad Samji.
साजिद खान के ख़िलाफ़ 10 महिलाओं ने #MeToo मूव्मेंट के दौरान यौन शोषण के आरोप लगाए थे। ये सभी कम्प्लेंट साजिद की घिनौनी मानसिकता दिखाती है। अब ऐसे आदमी को Bigg Boss में जगह दी गयी है जो कि पूरी तरह ग़लत है। मैंने @ianuragthakur जी को पत्र लिखा है की साजिद खान को इस शो से हटवाएँ! pic.twitter.com/4ao9elyvkk
— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) October 10, 2022
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Sambhal violence: Mosque chief held, brother says arrest to prevent testimony before judicial panel
Sambhal, Mar 23 (PTI): Shahi Jama Masjid management committee president Zafar Ali was arrested on Sunday after being questioned in connection with the November 24 violence during a protest against a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era mosque.
Superintendent of Police Krishan Kumar Bishnoi told reporters, "Today, Jama Masjid's Zafar Ali has been arrested and sent to jail. He was also detained and questioned late last night before being released."
"He was called again for questioning today. He was arrested after questioning," he added.
A case has been registered against Ali under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 191(2) and 191(3) (rioting), 190 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 221 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 125 (act endangering life or personal safety of others), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc), 230 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence) and 231 (giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment).
He has also been booked under provisions of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The district and the police administration are on high alert following Ali's arrest.
Bishnoi, Circle Officer (Sambhal) Anuj Chaudhary and Subdivisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra led a foot march with a police contingent.
Police personnel have been deployed in several areas, including the Shahi Jama Masjid, and surveillance is also being conducted through drones to maintain peace.
Ali was earlier taken into custody by the local police's special investigation team (SIT) to record his statement in connection with the case.
His brother, however, alleged that Ali was arrested to prevent him from submitting his testimony before a three-member judicial commission on Monday.
The Uttar Pradesh government set up the panel to investigate the violence in which four people were killed and several injured during protests over the survey. The Mughal-era mosque has been at the centre of a major row after a petition claimed that it was the site of an ancient Hindu temple.
Bishnoi earlier told PTI that Ali had been arrested in connection with the violence without elaborating further.
Earlier in the day, when PTI reached out to Sambhal Kotwali in-charge Anuj Kumar Tomar to ask if Ali had been arrested, he said the mosque management committee president was taken into SIT custody to record his statement.
He had confirmed that the detention was related to the November 24 violence.
Ali's elder brother Tahir Ali alleged that the police "deliberately" sent his brother to jail before the judicial panel could record his testimony.
"Around 11:15 am, an inspector and the investigating officer came to our house, saying Circle Officer (Asmoli) Kuldeep Singh wanted to talk. He had spoken with us last night as well. Zafar (Ali) was supposed to testify before the commission tomorrow (Monday) and that is why they are deliberately sending him to jail," Tahir Ali told reporters.
"Zafar (Ali) has already given his statement in a press conference and he will not retract it. He had clearly said that the police fired shots, and those who died were killed by police bullets," he added.
Asked what Ali had said before being taken away, Tahir Ali told the reporters, "He said, 'No problem, I am ready to go to jail. I will not back down from the truth!'."
Questioned on allegations of funding being received from external sources for the violence, Tahir Ali said, "Not a single penny has been received. We will fight this case in court and emerge victorious."
He also accused the Sambhal administration of deliberately inciting unrest. "The authorities do not want the tension to ease. We are trying to restore peace but all police officers and senior officials here are provoking further discord."
Ali, mosque management committee secretary Masood Farooqui, and advocate and local resident Qasim were scheduled to submit their testimony before the judicial commission on Monday, Tahir Ali said.
