Jaipur Literature Festival: please support MeToo India, stand against sexual harassment

The Issue

Dear organizers of the Jaipur Literature Festival,

We write today regarding the serious and credible allegations of sexual harassment made recently against a number of men in and around the literary world, as part of the MeToo movement in India. We, the undersigned, are dismayed, saddened and angered by these accounts. We admire the work that the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) undertakes. As India's largest and most recognised literature festival, we believe JLF is ideally placed to take the lead in addressing this urgent issue.

To this end, we ask that the festival takes a firm stand by supporting MeToo, issuing a statement declaring zero tolerance of sexual harassment. We ask that you ensure that those who have been credibly named are not invited to attend this year (if invited already, to rescind the invitation). We ask JLF to provide a forum for redressal, should complaints arise within the space of the festival this year and in the future

This is an important opportunity. As a literary community, and with JLF as a showcase to the world, it is vital that we do not ignore it.

avatar of the starter
Rajni GeorgePetition Starter
Victory
This petition made change with 1,167 supporters!

The Issue

Dear organizers of the Jaipur Literature Festival,

We write today regarding the serious and credible allegations of sexual harassment made recently against a number of men in and around the literary world, as part of the MeToo movement in India. We, the undersigned, are dismayed, saddened and angered by these accounts. We admire the work that the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) undertakes. As India's largest and most recognised literature festival, we believe JLF is ideally placed to take the lead in addressing this urgent issue.

To this end, we ask that the festival takes a firm stand by supporting MeToo, issuing a statement declaring zero tolerance of sexual harassment. We ask that you ensure that those who have been credibly named are not invited to attend this year (if invited already, to rescind the invitation). We ask JLF to provide a forum for redressal, should complaints arise within the space of the festival this year and in the future

This is an important opportunity. As a literary community, and with JLF as a showcase to the world, it is vital that we do not ignore it.

avatar of the starter
Rajni GeorgePetition Starter

The Decision Makers

Jaipur Literature Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival
Responded
“Dear Rajni and friends of the Festival, “We understand and value all that you have said. Many of the signatories of your petition have been associated with the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival and are a part of an informed, literary, culturally astute, and liberal ethos that the Festival believes in and stands for in every way. The Festival organisers have always worked and continue to work towards creating a safe, protected and conducive environment for all its attendees which includes women, the elderly and children. As a company, we reiterate that Teamwork Arts has systems in place to check, hold accountable and punish acts of sexual harassment or misdemeanour if and when conducted and brought to its notice, within the company or on any of its Festivals and properties. The Internal Complaint Committee (ICC) mandated by the Sexual Harassment Act of 2013 and the Sexual Harassment Policy of our company includes external committee member– Lawyer - Malavika Rajkotia. The Festival unequivocally condemns all sexual harassment and gender discriminatory behaviour and supports what the #MeToo movement stands for. The ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival remains a platform which gives space to diverse voices to debate and discuss matters of literary, intellectual and current relevance. We are responsible to and for our legions of attendees and followers and hold ourselves with dignity, sensitivity and seriousness. Our speakers list has been completed and does not feature writers who have been named currently in the #MeToo movement. ~ From the Organisers of the Jaipur Literature Festival”

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Petition created on 16 October 2018