The fest organisers responded to a Change.org petition assuring that their list of speakers does not feature writers who have been named in the #MeToo movement
Jaipur: After the exit of filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's co-produced movie, Bebaak, from the Mumbai Film Festival, it seems that other fests are following suit. Organisers 'privately' informed the director of the movie, Shazia Iqbal, that Kashyap's involvement with #MeToo accused Vikas Bahl was the reason behind the movie's exclusion.
Now, the world’s largest free literary festival, Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), has responded to a Change.org petition started by writer Rajni George stating, “The Festival unequivocally condemns all sexual harassment and gender discriminatory behaviour and supports what the #MeToo movement stands for. Our speakers' list has been completed and does not feature writers who have been named currently in the #MeToo movement.”
Writer Rajni George had posted a petition on the platform a week ago urging JLF to support the movement and take a stand against sexual harassment saying, "We ask that the Festival issues a statement declaring zero tolerance of sexual harassment.”
At the time of filing this story, the petition was 350 signatures short of reaching their target, which after JLF's assurance has already been met.
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