After the heinous crime at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital where a young lady doctor (PGT) was raped and murdered on August 9, Bengal came out on the street demanding justice for the victim and her family, and raising its voice for safety and security for women, queer, non-binary and trans-folks at all places. What started as a movement of doctors demanding justice from the RG Kar rape-murder victim and her family turned into a mass movement, and the Bengali entertainment industry stood in solidarity.Artists and technicians from the film and television fraternity have started to come out with their share of various encounters of harrowing stories as well. A well-known hairdresser from Tollywood recently set herself on fire in an attempted suicide after being deprived of work for several months. The hairdresser was saved by her daughter and has sustained a number of serious burn injuries. Directors’ Association of Eastern India has issued a statement after this horrifying incident.
Through its statement, DAEI has demanded safety of artists and technicians in the workplace, as well as argued for the removal of the people who were responsible for the hairdressers’ harassment. The statement issued by DAEI said, “A fellow hairstylist of ours tried to commit suicide by pouring kerosene on herself because she raised some questions about the democratic procedure of the federation (FCTWEI) and her guild Cine and Video Hair Stylist Association, which is part of the federation. She was suspended from work for two and a half months. As her ex-husband is sick, she had to take the entire responsibility of her family. She worked tirelessly to put her daughter through college. The suspension left the family in debt. She and her family faced a dire financial crisis. When her suspension period was over, then came the final blow.” The statement went on, “The guild told her that she could work, but she could only join the work they cleared her for. They asked her not to take work on her own accord. And if any critical comments or discussions about the Federation’s procedures or the Guild’s rules were followed, more severe action would be taken.” The statement of DAEI went on to narrate more harrowing examples of the guild and federations’ deeds and how they made the artists and technicians’ live extremely stressful and living hell.
The DAEI stated, “We are appealing to all colleagues, you who belong to any guild, any organization whatsoever, to come join us to stand against this evil violence. If we don’t stand today, we will never be able to stand in future. Time has come to recognize the true nature of the people involved in this illegal activity under the guise of benevolent technicians.” DAEI concluded their statement, writing, “We want the removal of those who made this decision. We want all illegal rules to be abolished. We want our workplace to be fearless. Be free of bias, end Tughlaki rule. All guidelines should be discussed and restructured in a truly democratic manner. Let the welfare and environment of film and television workers be protected through their own workers, on a transparent legal basis, looking after the interests of all.”
The hairdresser, who attempted suicide wrote in an alleged suicide note, “I was suspended for three months from May 1 but even then, I was not allowed to work properly. I could not fulfill my family responsibilities properly, so I am forced to commit suicide. Committee members of my guild are responsible for this.” The hairdresser added, “I was denied one job after another. I was set to work for Mainak Bhaumik’s upcoming film but the production manager informed me that the guild had instructed them not to give me the assignment.”
The victim was saved by the doctors but has sustained some serious burn injuries. She has been discharged from the hospital and is now under recovery.
Through its statement, DAEI has demanded safety of artists and technicians in the workplace, as well as argued for the removal of the people who were responsible for the hairdressers’ harassment. The statement issued by DAEI said, “A fellow hairstylist of ours tried to commit suicide by pouring kerosene on herself because she raised some questions about the democratic procedure of the federation (FCTWEI) and her guild Cine and Video Hair Stylist Association, which is part of the federation. She was suspended from work for two and a half months. As her ex-husband is sick, she had to take the entire responsibility of her family. She worked tirelessly to put her daughter through college. The suspension left the family in debt. She and her family faced a dire financial crisis. When her suspension period was over, then came the final blow.” The statement went on, “The guild told her that she could work, but she could only join the work they cleared her for. They asked her not to take work on her own accord. And if any critical comments or discussions about the Federation’s procedures or the Guild’s rules were followed, more severe action would be taken.” The statement of DAEI went on to narrate more harrowing examples of the guild and federations’ deeds and how they made the artists and technicians’ live extremely stressful and living hell.
The DAEI stated, “We are appealing to all colleagues, you who belong to any guild, any organization whatsoever, to come join us to stand against this evil violence. If we don’t stand today, we will never be able to stand in future. Time has come to recognize the true nature of the people involved in this illegal activity under the guise of benevolent technicians.” DAEI concluded their statement, writing, “We want the removal of those who made this decision. We want all illegal rules to be abolished. We want our workplace to be fearless. Be free of bias, end Tughlaki rule. All guidelines should be discussed and restructured in a truly democratic manner. Let the welfare and environment of film and television workers be protected through their own workers, on a transparent legal basis, looking after the interests of all.”
The hairdresser, who attempted suicide wrote in an alleged suicide note, “I was suspended for three months from May 1 but even then, I was not allowed to work properly. I could not fulfill my family responsibilities properly, so I am forced to commit suicide. Committee members of my guild are responsible for this.” The hairdresser added, “I was denied one job after another. I was set to work for Mainak Bhaumik’s upcoming film but the production manager informed me that the guild had instructed them not to give me the assignment.”
The victim was saved by the doctors but has sustained some serious burn injuries. She has been discharged from the hospital and is now under recovery.